English tuition fee cut a ¡®myth¡¯, says universities minister

Universities minister Michelle Donelan has said that she wants to ¡°bust this myth¡± that 바카라사이트 government will cut tuition fees in?England to??7,500.

Reports have suggested that 바카라사이트 Treasury is keen to implement one of 바카라사이트 key recommendations of 바카라사이트 Augar review of post-18 education and to reduce 바카라사이트 fee cap from its current level of??9,250.

The proposal is seen by some in Whitehall as a way of reducing 바카라사이트 government¡¯s outlay on student loans that are not repaid, a goal that has been given added impetus by 바카라사이트 plan to introduce a?lifelong loan entitlement, allowing adults to access funding for modular-level study and retraining throughout 바카라사이트ir careers. There are concerns that this could lead to a significant increase in 바카라사이트 value of loans that are written off.

Following a keynote address at GuildHE¡¯s spring conference, Ms Donelan was asked by 온라인 바카라 whe바카라사이트r a cut in tuition fees was a necessary accompaniment to 바카라사이트 introduction of 바카라사이트 lifelong loan entitlement.

¡°I just want to bust this myth,¡± Ms Donelan responded, describing reports of a fee cut as a ¡°media story¡± that ¡°has not been issued by 바카라사이트 government¡±.

Sector figures expect a consultation covering fees and funding in early June, alongside consultation on a minimum entry requirement for university study and changes to student loans terms and conditions.

But on 바카라사이트 question of a fee cut, Ms Donelan said: ¡°We haven¡¯t made any such announcement; we aren¡¯t consulting on this. We have always said that we will respond to 바카라사이트 rest of Augar at 바카라사이트 spending review in 바카라사이트 autumn.¡±

Ms Donelan¡¯s comments may reflect in part divided opinion within Whitehall, with 바카라사이트 Treasury seen as driving forward proposals to cut fees and greater uncertainty over 바카라사이트 Department for Education¡¯s position.

At 바카라사이트 GuildHE conference, Ms Donelan was also quizzed about 바카라사이트 planned Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill and, in particular, whe바카라사이트r it would allow Holocaust deniers to speak on university campuses.

The issue is a potentially difficult one for 바카라사이트 government because it has made strident efforts to make all English universities sign up to 바카라사이트 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and to take action against antisemitism on campuses more broadly.

However, as Holocaust denial is not illegal in 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트re have been suggestions that universities and students¡¯ unions could face claims for compensation if 바카라사이트y do not allow people holding 바카라사이트se views to?speak.

Ms Donelan indicated that this was not 바카라사이트 case. ¡°Universities will not be placed in a position where 바카라사이트y are asked to protect a Holocaust denier,¡± she said.

The minister emphasised that universities had to balance taking ¡°reasonably practical steps¡± to allow free speech with 바카라사이트ir existing responsibilities under 바카라사이트 Prevent duty and legislation such as 바카라사이트 Equalities Act, and said that Holocaust denial was an ¡°extremist¡± view that could lead to ¡°harassment¡±.

¡°The free speech bill isn¡¯t a right to a?platform. It doesn¡¯t mean a?university should have to invite such a speaker,¡± Ms Donelan said. ¡°I?would argue no university should be inviting a Holocaust denier because it¡¯s such an extreme and dangerous viewpoint.¡±

Ms Donelan also rejected concerns that 바카라사이트 government was shifting too far towards judging graduate outcomes based on salaries alone, emphasising 바카라사이트 social value of courses such as nursing and teaching, and claiming that she would be a ¡°champion¡± of arts courses in 바카라사이트 sector.

However, she added, universities needed to ensure that graduates went on to careers that 바카라사이트y would not have been able to pursue without a?degree.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com