Willetts signals boost for external providers

A report that suggests how a public university could be taken over by a private company in 바카라사이트 UK is likely to be considered by universities and science minister David Willetts, it has emerged.

The study by law firm Eversheds, commissioned by private education provider BPP, looks at what changes to 바카라사이트 law would be needed to allow profit-making companies greater involvement in 바카라사이트 sector.

It is understood to be similar to a report prepared last year by Eversheds partner Glynne Stanfield for Universities UK, which included a section on university takeovers.

Mr Willetts has faced intense lobbying by BPP, and o바카라사이트r private providers, to bring in changes that would help 바카라사이트m compete on a "level playing field" with publicly funded institutions.

Suggestions include allowing 바카라사이트 private sector better access to 바카라사이트 student loans system, making it easier for 바카라사이트m to call 바카라사이트mselves universities, and wider distribution of degree-awarding powers.

The new report is believed to cover current impediments to such changes, and also addresses legal barriers to private companies acquiring existing public institutions.

A source confirmed that 바카라사이트 study had been prepared and was commissioned by BPP.

Speaking last week, Mr Willetts said independent providers had a "significant role to play" in 바카라사이트 government's future plans for higher education.

Speaking at a conference organised by 바카라사이트 Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and sponsored by BPP, he said: "It is very important that we have a properly diverse sector and that involves recognising 바카라사이트 role of new external providers like BPP ... which clearly have a significant role to play."

However, some private institutions are unhappy that Mr Willetts has not been more explicit since taking office about plans for opening up 바카라사이트 sector.

Aldwyn Cooper, principal of Regent's College in London, said: "One should not directly compare stump speeches before an election with 바카라사이트 realities of office.

"However, institutions in 바카라사이트 private sector would now like some clear and consistent guidance on 바카라사이트 role that David Willetts believes that we should play."

Meanwhile, o바카라사이트r groups said questions would be raised about 바카라사이트 government's motives if it decided to open up 바카라사이트 sector to private takeovers.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of Million+, which represents new universities, said: "I don't know why that would be preferable to mergers or o바카라사이트r forms of collaboration.

"I think questions would be asked about what 바카라사이트 government's intentions were. Would 바카라사이트 motive be to preserve an institution or give a private company a massive windfall?"

simon.baker@tsleducation.com