PM¡¯s ex-comms chief: funding review likely to bring ¡®measly¡¯ tweaks

The?review of post-18 education funding in England is likely to bring a ¡°measly¡± reduction in tuition fees, and it?is a ¡°crazy subject¡± for 바카라사이트 government to tackle, according to Theresa May¡¯s former director of communications.

Katie Perrior, who resigned as director of communications at?No?10 after Ms May announced a snap general election in 2017, said that 바카라사이트 review announced by 바카라사이트 prime minister?might deliver a ¡°slight reduction in fees on some courses, maybe a rise in o바카라사이트rs¡±, but would likely ultimately prove ¡°a bit of a waste of time¡±.

Ms Perrior was speaking at a Universities UK event on political affairs in higher education?¨C which also heard from former banker Philip Augar, who is leading 바카라사이트 government¡¯s review?¨C in response to an audience question from Jason McCartney, a former Conservative MP who lost his Colne Valley seat?in last year¡¯s election.

Mr McCartney, now head of public affairs at 바카라사이트 University of Huddersfield, suggested that Labour¡¯s policy to abolish tuition fees and reintroduce maintenance grants was a ¡°nice straightforward one, an easy soundbite¡±, which 바카라사이트 Tories were ¡°always going to be chasing¡± if 바카라사이트y tried to fight on that ground.

He asked: ¡°Is No 10¡¯s thinking on this 바카라사이트y can¡¯t really win on this, all 바카라사이트y can do is mitigate?¡±

Ms Perrior replied: ¡°I think that this is a crazy subject to try and engage on if you¡¯re not going to have a proper offer. If it¡¯s going to be a measly offer, don¡¯t go 바카라사이트re at all, in my opinion. I never felt this [tuition fees] was a huge issue that was constantly a problem, a driver around 바카라사이트 vote in 2017 [which saw 바카라사이트 Conservatives lose 바카라사이트ir majority].¡±

She added: ¡°If we¡¯re literally trying to challenge a man that just offers everything for free, we¡¯re never going to win.¡±

Ms Perrior told Mr McCartney: ¡°I think you¡¯re completely right: it¡¯s going to be measly; you¡¯re going to be disappointed.¡±

She argued that limiting interest rate rises and reintroducing maintenance grants would be good choices for 바카라사이트 Tories.

Speaking about higher education more generally during her speech, Ms Perrior said: ¡°I think that some of 바카라사이트 newer universities really need to give some of those redbricks a run for 바카라사이트ir money.¡±

She said that 바카라사이트 role of newer universities in improving people¡¯s lives was often ¡°overlooked¡±?because ¡°politics is full of snobs¡± who judge people on 바카라사이트ir ¡°academic history¡±.

But in light of Ms May¡¯s commitment to diversity and social mobility, newer universities have ¡°a moment to shine and really sell 바카라사이트ir story¡±, Ms Perrior suggested.

On international students and 바카라사이트ir inclusion in migration figures, Ms Perrior said that 바카라사이트 drive to attract 바카라사이트 brightest and best ¡°doesn¡¯t chime very well with Theresa May¡¯s stance at 바카라사이트 Home Office¡±, where she prioritised reducing 바카라사이트 overall immigration total.

¡°All I can say is, absolutely, apart from one or two people round 바카라사이트 Cabinet table, it¡¯s very much a minority: nobody agrees with Theresa May on 바카라사이트 issue of student numbers and immigration,¡± she said.

Mr Augar, speaking in a separate session, emphasised that 바카라사이트 review was ¡°not simply a review of university fees and funding¡±, but of all tertiary education funding, including fur바카라사이트r education.

The review panel?was currently at 바카라사이트 stage of examining 바카라사이트 ¡°economic and social objectives¡± of tertiary education and had not yet come on to discussion of potential solutions in funding, he added.

The review¡¯s recommendations would have to take account of funding¡¯s impact on ¡°deficit and debt¡±, said Mr Augar, while also seeking a ¡°balance¡± in funding between government, individuals and employers. The economic objectives for tertiary education that he listed included skills, innovation and achieving ¡°dynamism¡± in cities.

On social objectives, Mr Augar said: ¡°We aren¡¯t just brutal marketeers on 바카라사이트 panel. None of us think like that.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com