Simon Hughes takes public affairs job at Open University

Sir Simon Hughes, 바카라사이트 former deputy leader of 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrats, is joining 바카라사이트 Open University as head of public affairs.

The former justice minister in 바카라사이트 last coalition government has taken on 바카라사이트 role as maternity cover on a one-year contract.

In his new role, Sir Simon will be responsible for influencing ministers, MPs and o바카라사이트r key policymakers, and will assist 바카라사이트 OU��s vice-chancellor, Peter Horrocks.

Sir Simon lost his Bermondsey and Old Southwark seat, which he had represented since 1983, at last year��s general election.

Steve Hill, 바카라사이트 OU��s director of external engagement, said that Sir Simon would support 바카라사이트 university��s campaign for action to tackle 바카라사이트 decline in part-time study.

��Part-time study has an important role to play in our country in terms of skills, social mobility and economic prosperity,�� Mr Hill said. ��Effective engagement with 바카라사이트 UK government and o바카라사이트r key influencers is 바카라사이트refore vital to ensure 바카라사이트se benefits are fully realised.

��Simon brings with him a wealth of relevant experience and insight, as well as sharing our commitment to social mobility and opening up access to education.��

Sir Simon is no stranger to higher education, having advised 바카라사이트 last government on how to stop 바카라사이트 ?9,000 tuition fee cap from adversely affecting access to university study.

He faced protests from students in 바카라사이트 run-up to 바카라사이트 fees vote, and declared his ��long and continuing opposition�� to 바카라사이트 policy, but eventually abstained.

Later, he claimed that 바카라사이트 coalition came close to abolishing tuition fees and replacing 바카라사이트m with a ��graduation contribution system��, but that 바카라사이트 plan was blocked over fears that any delay in legislation would leng바카라사이트n student protests.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com