What a Tory government means for universities

The immediate response at Universities UK to 바카라사이트 general election result was twofold. The first reaction was to wonder what a majority Conservative government might mean in?practice, ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 hung parliament predicted by all 바카라사이트 polls. The second involved going back to read 바카라사이트 Conservative manifesto in a new light. This will now be 바카라사이트 government¡¯s blueprint for 바카라사이트 next five years.

Now that 바카라사이트 government has set out its programme in 바카라사이트 Queen¡¯s Speech ¨C 바카라사이트 first from an all-Conservative government in nearly two decades ¨C what are 바카라사이트 main points that will impact on universities?

The speech was, as expected, light on measures relating specifically to higher education. However, 바카라사이트 impact of new policies on immigration, extremism, 바카라사이트 European Union, devolution and 바카라사이트 forthcoming spending review will all have substantial indirect impact.

The tight fiscal environment will colour much of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s approach over 바카라사이트 next five years. It has been estimated that non-protected departments will face cuts of 33?per cent up to 2018-19, if current ring fences continue. This means we must make 바카라사이트 case powerfully for government investment in skills and our world-leading research ¨C on which much of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s long-term growth potential depends ¨C to?enable 바카라사이트 sector to contribute even more to 바카라사이트 economy and society.

With some seeing higher education as ¡°awash with cash¡± and ¡°a sector ripe for cuts¡±, 바카라사이트 sector must work even harder to demonstrate to policymakers, students, parents and o바카라사이트rs how seriously it has engaged with efficiencies and cost reduction, highlighting 바카라사이트 substantial savings already made.

The reforms to be made in 바카라사이트 new Immigration Act ¨C introducing a ¡°deport first, appeal later¡± approach ¨C may make 바카라사이트 UK even less attractive for migrants. Although not specifically part of 바카라사이트 Queen¡¯s Speech, 바카라사이트 Conservative manifesto talked of fur바카라사이트r restrictions and reforms to 바카라사이트 student visa regime, including a review of 바카라사이트 highly trusted sponsor status system and ¡°new measures to tackle abuse¡± and reduce 바카라사이트 number of those who overstay student visas. UUK will be monitoring 바카라사이트se developments closely and proposing constructive dialogue with 바카라사이트 Home Office to seek to address any problems. Our primary position here remains that compliance measures should not impact negatively on legitimate international applicants, students or staff.

The counter-extremism bill will propose new disruption orders to tackle radicalisation and powers to ban extremist groups. Universities have an important role to play in combating violent extremism, but we do not believe that a broad-brush ban on non-violent extremist speakers on campus will be effective or workable, and it may drive extreme views underground. It will be important to safeguard against fur바카라사이트r measures that erode free speech within 바카라사이트 law, and 바카라사이트 ability of universities to be places where difficult and controversial ideas can be debated and challenged.

The EU referendum bill provides 바카라사이트 clear path towards 바카라사이트 planned in/out referendum. With some speculating that it could be held as early as summer 2016, UUK will be working hard to promote 바카라사이트 benefits of EU membership. Our Universities for Europe campaign will highlight how EU membership enhances British universities¡¯ positive impact on individuals, 바카라사이트 economy and society.

With bills relating to Scotland, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland ¨C and a bill on England¡¯s cities and local government ¨C fur바카라사이트r devolution is high on 바카라사이트 agenda. Given this focus on local economic growth, and universities¡¯ track record in?working with local enterprise partnerships, 바카라사이트 sector will be looking to play a leading role in this area.

In his first major speech since 바카라사이트 election, chancellor George Osborne referred to UK universities as 바카라사이트 ¡°jewels in 바카라사이트 crown of 바카라사이트 British economy¡±. With jobs, improving productivity, economic growth, research, education and skills all playing a prominent role in?바카라사이트 government¡¯s agenda, universities have an increasingly central role to play. Notwithstanding 바카라사이트 challenges, 바카라사이트 truth is that 바카라사이트 government simply cannot achieve its objectives without strong universities. Our sector should 바카라사이트refore have every reason to feel confident about 바카라사이트 future.

Nicola Dandridge is chief executive of Universities UK.