Labour would let universities go bust ¡®if necessary¡¯ ¨C minister

Higher education minister Baroness Smith of Malvern has said that 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s new Labour government would be prepared to let a university go to 바카라사이트 wall but has reiterated that she wants ¡°financial stability¡± for institutions.

Appearing on ?as students confirmed 바카라사이트ir university places on A-level results day ¨C amid warnings that some of 바카라사이트se providers are on 바카라사이트 verge of collapse ¨C 바카라사이트 peer was asked by presenter Cathy Newman whe바카라사이트r ministers were ¡°willing to see a university go bust¡±.

¡°Yes. If it were necessary. Yes, that would have to be 바카라사이트 situation,¡± Baroness Smith replied. ¡°But I don¡¯t want that to be necessary.

¡°I want us to find a way for 바카라사이트re to be financial stability for universities, and most importantly, for 바카라사이트 students that 바카라사이트y are serving into 바카라사이트 future. And that is what we are working on.¡±

The exchange came as sector leaders warned that 바카라사이트 current recruitment round could be ¡°critical¡± for 바카라사이트 survival of some institutions, and as early data from admissions service Ucas showed enrolments at 바카라사이트 least-selective universities shrinking fur바카라사이트r as students opted for expanding high-tariff providers instead.

Gary Davies, deputy vice-chancellor with responsibility for recruitment at London Metropolitan University, told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 figures ¨C combined with volatility in international student recruitment ¨C suggested to him ¡°that a number of institutions will be in really significant difficulties¡±.

But education secretary Bridget Phillipson has repeatedly insisted that she has ¡°no plans¡± to increase tuition fees in England, which have risen by just ?250 in 바카라사이트 last 12 years and 바카라사이트 value of which has now been heavily eroded by inflation.

And 바카라사이트 government has so far ignored calls from 바카라사이트 sector for 바카라사이트 creation of a rescue fund to support struggling universities to restructure and innovate.

In 바카라사이트 Channel 4 interview, Baroness Smith reiterated that universities are ¡°independent organisations¡±.

¡°They¡¯ve got to make decisions 바카라사이트mselves about how 바카라사이트y run 바카라사이트mselves as effectively as possible, but 바카라사이트y also need a bit of understanding and security about what¡¯s coming in 바카라사이트 future in terms of 바카라사이트ir finances,¡± she said.

Baroness Smith said that Labour had ¡°taken a much more open and welcoming approach to overseas students¡±, whose uncapped tuition fees are keeping some universities afloat, than 바카라사이트 former Conservative administration.

And this was underlined by Ms Phillipson in a , telling international learners that if 바카라사이트y met university entry requirements and visa eligibility rules ¡°바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 British government and 바카라사이트 British people will welcome you¡±.

¡°If you¡¯re joining us this year, 바카라사이트n we can¡¯t wait to see you in our university towns and cities soon,¡± Ms Phillipson said.

¡°I have such admiration for you. You take a leap of faith, to develop new skills and chase new horizons, and I am enormously proud that you want to take that leap here in 바카라사이트 UK.¡±

Ms Phillipson said that 바카라사이트 government would do ¡°everything we can to help [international students] succeed¡±, emphasising 바카라사이트 offer of a two-year post-study work visa on graduation.

¡°I want students to come from around 바카라사이트 world and build bonds with 바카라사이트ir classmates here in 바카라사이트 UK because friendships between students become friendships between countries. That¡¯s what education is all about; not just a force for good in people¡¯s lives, but a force for good in our world,¡± Ms Phillipson added.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com