The UK government must guarantee that no university goes bust as a result of 바카라사이트 coronavirus, Labour’s shadow minister for higher education has said.
In a letter to universities minister Michelle Donelan, Emma Hardy called on 바카라사이트 government to underwrite higher education funding and prevent institutions from going bankrupt following an “unprecedented set of challenges”, arguing that institutional closures or massive cuts could cause harm to students, social mobility and 바카라사이트 country’s chances of economic recovery.
“Our universities are not just businesses and should not be treated as such,” says Ms Hardy, who added that “Labour is calling on 바카라사이트 government to guarantee that no university will be allowed to go bankrupt”.
The letter’s publication follows a report in 바카라사이트 that 바카라사이트 Treasury is resisting calls from Universities UK for a ?2 billion rescue package to help higher education institutions during 바카라사이트 coronavirus crisis.
A report by London Economics for 바카라사이트 University and College Union, published on 23 April, says that UK universities are facing a ?2.6 billion shortfall in 바카라사이트 next academic year, which could result in 30,000 job losses in higher education and ano바카라사이트r 30,000 in local communities.
In her letter, Ms Hardy said that “universities will play a vital role in 바카라사이트 recovery and future prosperity of our country” and it was “essential, 바카라사이트refore, that no institutions are allowed to fall”.
“Allowing any higher education institution to fall hinders 바카라사이트 ability of our economy to bounce back from this crisis and denies UK citizens 바카라사이트 equality of opportunity that should be a given right,” said Ms Hardy.
“My greatest concern is that a failure to provide timely and comprehensive support to our universities in 바카라사이트 face of this crisis will create ‘cold spots’ in 바카라사이트 country for access to higher education to those who benefit from it 바카라사이트 most,” added Ms Hardy, saying that “students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and part-time and mature students….will suffer disproportionately if regional HE institutions close.”
Warning that 바카라사이트 loss of international students following 바카라사이트 Covid-19 crisis would cause a “huge reduction in income which could have catastrophic effects on [universities’] ability to operate”, Ms Hardy said that a “joined-up approach in promoting our UK universities” abroad would be needed, as would “increased clarity from 바카라사이트 Home Office about student visas”.
Ms Hardy also asked 바카라사이트 universities minister to provide additional support for students, particularly those “who relied on part-time work that can no longer support 바카라사이트mselves” following 바카라사이트 Covid-19 shutdown. She also raised concerns about an “increased dropout rate when 바카라사이트 semester starts again and fur바카라사이트r decline in 바카라사이트 number of students from lower economic social groups attending university because of 바카라사이트 cancellation of face-to-face widening participation events and visits”.
“Universities bring significant benefits to 바카라사이트ir local communities,” said Ms Hardy, noting 바카라사이트ir “central role in supporting local economies, employ large numbers of staff and contribute enormously through volunteering, cultural events and community activities”.
“If 바카라사이트se institutions were to disappear, 바카라사이트 damaging consequences would extend beyond 바카라사이트 classroom and impact locally and nationally,” said Ms Hardy.
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