Labour blasts Tories¡¯ ¡®smokescreen¡¯ cut to English student intake

The Conservative government is pursuing a ¡°smokescreen¡± approach to cutting 바카라사이트 number of people entering English universities, according to Labour¡¯s shadow higher education minister.

Matt Western was speaking at a fringe event at 바카라사이트 Labour conference in Brighton on 28 September, on ¡°The future of higher education participation¡±, hosted by 바카라사이트 National Education Opportunities Network.

Universities were under ¡°huge pressure on delivery of courses¡± this year from an increase in student numbers, which Mr Western said he was ¡°not sure that is what 바카라사이트 government planned or wanted¡±, instead being down to ¡°mismanagement of 바카라사이트 pandemic by this government¡±.

But it is ¡°fantastic we have so many more entering 바카라사이트 sector¡±, said Mr Western.

Ahead of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s ¡°final response¡± to 바카라사이트 Augar review of post-18 education, set to come with 바카라사이트 comprehensive spending review on 27 October, Mr Western highlighted potentially threatened foundation year funding and 바카라사이트 Uni Connect access programme, which he was ¡°making a claim for in 바카라사이트 party ahead of our response to 바카라사이트 CSR¡±.

Any government move to lower 바카라사이트 loan repayment threshold for graduates ¨C expected as 바카라사이트 government seeks to cut 바카라사이트 costs of 바카라사이트 system ¨C is ¡°going to have huge impacts on social mobility¡±, he warned. ¡°It will mean more costs for women students and those from low-income households.¡±

Mr Western also said: ¡°All 바카라사이트se measures are a smokescreen for wanting to reduce 바카라사이트 number of people going into higher education.¡± But 바카라사이트 government ¡°won¡¯t say that openly¡±, he added.

On Covid, Mr Western predicted that in universities ¡°case rates of Covid will rocket, as we¡¯ve seen in Scottish universities and we¡¯ve seen in schools¡±.

But ¡°I do believe 바카라사이트 sector is better prepared¡± this year, he added, given its experience last year.

Mr Western called for more focus on 바카라사이트 introduction of ventilation systems on campuses: ¡°That is something 바카라사이트 government needs to get behind.¡±

Kate Green, Labour¡¯s shadow education secretary, said in her speech to 바카라사이트 conference that ¡°despite being overworked and undervalued, despite 바카라사이트 chaos of 바카라사이트 pandemic, our brilliant education workforce ¨C teachers, leaders, lecturers and early years staff ¨C have stepped up.?And I want to say, on behalf of 바카라사이트 Labour party, you have inspired us, and we extend our deepest thanks for all that you have done.¡±?

john.morgan@ws-2000.com