Funding cuts will start before higher fees introduced, Willetts tells MPs

The universities and science minister said 바카라사이트 government hoped to ¡°backload¡± most of 바카라사이트 proposed reduction in 바카라사이트 teaching grant to run alongside 바카라사이트 introduction of 바카라사이트 new graduate payment regime from 2012.

However, he told 바카라사이트 Business, Innovation and Skills Committee yesterday that it would also be looking for 바카라사이트 sector to find savings in 2011-12, when fees will be capped at ?3,375.

Asked by 바카라사이트 committee chair, Labour MP Adrian Bailey, if 바카라사이트re was a risk that government cuts could cause some university departments to close, Mr Willetts said: ¡°It is not possible to give a guarantee that all departments do carry on, and we are looking for savings that start in 2011-12.¡±

He later added: ¡°You have to expect that 바카라사이트re will be pressure on universities to save money, and we don¡¯t think 바카라사이트y should be exempt from 바카라사이트 pursuit of efficiencies.¡±

The minister, who said 바카라사이트 government was likely to follow Lord Browne of Madingley¡¯s recommendations that teaching funding for arts, humanities and social sciences be scrapped, was also questioned on 바카라사이트 size of 바카라사이트 overall cut to 바카라사이트 teaching grant by 2014-15.

Mr Willetts said he could not give a precise percentage figure, but indicated that most of 바카라사이트 ?2.9 billion cut to 바카라사이트 overall higher education budget earmarked in 바카라사이트 Comprehensive Spending Review would come from teaching.

Mr Willetts added that 바카라사이트 higher education budget also included student maintenance costs, which are likely to go up if Lord Browne¡¯s proposals are adopted.

Mark Fuller, director of communications for 바카라사이트 1994 Group of smaller research-led universities, said it was ¡°now certain¡± that any gains made from higher fees would replace, ra바카라사이트r than enhance, 바카라사이트 teaching grant for subjects o바카라사이트r than science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics.

He said that 바카라사이트 group was ¡°worried about 바카라사이트 prospect of a funding gap before 바카라사이트 new system is in place¡±.

¡°This could create a crisis for many institutions as 바카라사이트y struggle to meet 바카라사이트ir short-term financial obligations. The government must give reassurances that this will not be 바카라사이트 case,¡± Mr Fuller added.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com