Hello Everyone,
Government Announcement
I wanted to get in touch to say that there will be an announcement from the Government tomorrow containing the coalition Governments response to the Browne review. We expect the announcement to happen in the Commons following on from PMQs – though this detail is yet to be confirmed – we will know more this evening when tomorrow’s agenda for Parliament has been announced. Rather interestingly we believe that David Willetts will be making the announcement tomorrow rather than Vince Cable, I will let you read into that what you will.
Clearly we will ensure that we update you on the contents of the announcement and also provide you with our initial response to the Governments proposals.
I know that so many of you have been meeting with MPs over the last couple of months ensuring that our messages have been heard loud and clear. We need to remember that whilst the media headlines will focus on the sticker price on courses and debt level for future students – there are lots of things in the Browne proposals that we have been concerned about.
I continued to be concerned about the creation of a market in higher education, and will continue to fight hard against this – we cannot allow the removal of the fee cap to happen – the long term consequences of this are inconceivable.
The idea that student loans would be denied to those whose qualifications are lower than a specified UCAS tariff level is terrifying and a measure which seeks to actively stop social mobility. This move not only offends me, but risks damaging the development of the society in which we live.
The cut of public support to arts, humanities and social science provision in universities threatens the fabric of our education system and I have been continuing to ask serious questions about the current levels of waste in our institutions, not least on rocketing Vice Chancellors salaries and bulging expenses accounts.
I have yet still to find any evidence what so ever to suggest that charging more for courses will somehow magically improve their quality. As I said before we need to ensure that student rights are not ignored in this debate and that there are some clear guarantees around the role that students have in shaping their future including significant representation of students in the governance arrangements in any sector machinery. It is also unacceptable that quality assurance should be left to chance with the dismantlement of the QAA.
I also continue to believe that it is fundamentally important that that the OIA remains independent as the arbitrator for student complaints.
Having had the opportunity to speak to many students in London over the last few weeks at varies events I remain committed to fighting for the return of the London weighting. People should not be prohibited from studying in London because the support they receive does not reflect the additional accommodation and transport costs that they have to bear.
I know that many of you like me have been raising these and other issues in your meeting with MPs, especially Liberal Democrats in recent weeks – and I want to say that I believe that we can continue to put pressure on them with successful outcomes.
You will have noticed from the ‘Update’ earlier today that we are planning a social network assault about the national demonstration tomorrow to coincide with PMQ’s at 12noon. Should the statement from David Willetts be made following that announcement I encourage you all to stay online and respond to the Governments announcements. #demo2010 & www.demo2010.org.uk
I look forward to seeing you all on the Demo next Wednesday – and please do keep sending in all your feedback from MP meetings – they are invaluable to our MP mapping.
In Unity
Aaron Porter
National President