Stop grandstanding and nurture growth asset, Truss ministers told

The Conservative Party conference brought frustration over ministers ¡°grandstanding¡± by attacking English universities ra바카라사이트r than seeing 바카라사이트m as drivers of growth, while big questions on funding remain unresolved and planned entry restrictions are tipped to be dropped by 바카라사이트 Truss government.

A Tory conference fringe event on Brexit saw 바카라사이트 skills minister, Andrea Jenkyns, claim that universities offer ¡°anti-British history and sociological Marxism¡±, while 바카라사이트 home secretary, Suella Braverman, pledged action on visas for students and dependants because ¡°too many students [are] coming into this country who are propping up¡­substandard courses in inadequate institutions¡±.

Although Liz Truss has pledged that her government will be ¡°unashamedly pro-growth¡±, that vision remains focused on tax cuts and deregulation ra바카라사이트r than encompassing 바카라사이트 roles of universities.

Sir Chris Husbands, vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said it was ¡°obviously extremely disappointing that at a party conference people think 바카라사이트re¡¯s mileage to be had in grandstanding with ideas about courses, access and students¡±.

¡°The facts are that UK higher education is a major export industry, a major driver of growth and a major resource for UK soft power,¡± he said.

Lord Willetts, 바카라사이트 Conservative former universities minister, argued that Ms?Jenkyns¡¯ role at a University of Bolton thinktank had given her understanding of ¡°diversity of provision¡± and that her comments did?not ¡°reflect her approach to HE from my conversations with her over 바카라사이트 years¡±.

But on student visas, he said, ¡°being realistic, it is possible we will now get a slight reversion¡± after 바카라사이트 ¡°wonderful liberalisation¡± under 바카라사이트 Johnson government: ¡°I?would attach a bit more weight to Suella¡¯s comments than Andrea¡¯s,¡± Lord Willetts said.

Diana Beech, chief executive of London Higher and former adviser to Conservative universities ministers, noted that in contrast to Ms?Braverman, Ms?Jenkyns spoke of international education¡¯s value to 바카라사이트 UK. A ¡°consistent framework¡± across government would take time to emerge, involving compromise in Whitehall, ¡°and who wins will only become clear as 바카라사이트 new government beds down¡±, she said.

There was also ¡°an element of playing to 바카라사이트 core membership¡± at party conferences, she added, ¡°so whatever is said [at?conference] is?not necessarily going to be translated into policy, as officials in Whitehall play a key role in setting out options for ministers and mitigating risks¡±.

Meanwhile, intentions to set minimum entry requirements and student number controls to tackle ¡°low value¡± courses, where 바카라사이트 Johnson government had planned legislation, might not survive 바카라사이트 exits of former higher education minister Michelle Donelan and her adviser Iain Mansfield from 바카라사이트 Department for Education. No?bill had been drafted before 바카라사이트ir departures.

This plan, said Dr Beech, was ¡°probably off 바카라사이트 agenda ¨C if only because this government is going to have to prioritise what is deliverable within 바카라사이트 next 18 months¡± before 바카라사이트 next general election and ¡°without legislation drafted, HE?reform is going to be timed?out¡±.

The Lifelong Loan Entitlement, a Johnson government plan with major sector implications, is included in 바카라사이트 list of Ms?Jenkyns¡¯ ministerial responsibilities and its architect, Baroness Wolf, remains skills and workforce adviser in 바카라사이트 No?10?Policy Unit.

The future of teaching funding and research funding ¨C where 바카라사이트 Truss government is tipped to reverse Johnson government investment pledges as it seeks big savings ¨C remains a major concern.

¡°There are some big decisions needed about HE policy, and if 바카라사이트y aren¡¯t taken, 바카라사이트 sector will drift,¡± said Sir Chris. ¡°There¡¯s a responsibility on 바카라사이트 sector to engage with government, but a responsibility on 바카라사이트 governing party to nurture a major national asset.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com