The Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary University Group, Daniel Zeichner MP, began the event with introductory remarks, thanking the Minister for his time and referencing the recent report on the costs and benefits of international higher education students in the UK.
The Minister began his remarks by outlining his priorities for the higher education sector: (1) meeting the skills need of the economy, (2) providing high quality qualifications leading to well-paid jobs, and (3) advancing social justice. He explained that the government has the right to issue direction to the sector, given the government subsidies that universities receive.
He said the skills reforms were injecting skills into higher and further education, bringing the two sectors together. The Minister cited the £3.8 billion investment to expand and strengthen provision that aligned with the need of employers. He also outlined the £750 million of additional funding in HE to support high quality teaching and ensure world-class facilities.
Degree apprenticeships were described by the Minister as his ‘two favourite words’, explaining how they provide opportunity to the disadvantaged, boost the prestige of apprenticeships, and enable learners to achieve good jobs. He outlined the growth in degree apprenticeships with a 12% increase in entrants from the previous year. He celebrated the providers offering degree apprenticeships, not just vocational institutions, but also members of the Russell Group. The Minister cited the £40 million of Strategic Priorities Grant funding available over the next two financial years to providers for degree apprenticeships.
On high quality qualifications leading to good jobs, he explained this was important given the large loans taken out by students. The Minister said nearly three quarters of full-time first degree graduates from 2020 had progressed into high quality jobs/further study 15 months after graduating, and cited the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimate that the net average lifetime return from an undergraduate degree was £130,000 for men and £100,000 for women. However, he said there were too many ‘pockets’ of students not receiving good progression when they leave university, particularly for disadvantaged students. He outlined the current minimum thresholds for continuation, completion, and progression from the Office for Students (OfS), stating his preference for providers to exceed these thresholds.
The Minister said he was putting social justice at the heart of the ambitions for the sector. He welcomed the record numbers of English 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds securing a place at university. He noted that disadvantaged students were 86% more likely to enter higher education than in 2010. He highlighted the difficulties facing pupils in care and pupils on free school meals, such as White British male pupils on free school meals who are among the least likely to go to university. The Minister said this was something the Department for Education (DfE) were looking to address. He outlined the progress the OfS were taking, including the equality of opportunity risk register which would ensure no student groups were left behind. He encouraged universities to work closely with schools to encourage aspiration and attainment.
Following his remarks on the three main priorities for the sector, the Minister provided closing comments on the student experience and careers guidance.
The Minister highlighted the significant issues concerning the mental health of students. He outlined the three pillars to tackle the issue: (1) funding provider services and innovative approaches, (2) learning and understanding the lived experience of bereaved friends and families, and (3) working with the sector to implement expert-led best practice. He explained that the OfS were receiving £15 million to support student mental health, with a particular focus on counselling services. The Minister outlined the work of Professor Edward Peck CBE, the Student Support Champion, and said an announcement would be made in the next few weeks (around the time of the Petitions Debate) to ensure lessons were drawn from tragic cases. He welcomed the Universities UK and PAPYRUS postvention guidance as well as the University Mental Health Charter. The Minister said he considered existing legislation on negligence was sufficient but were actively evaluating this.
On careers guidance, the Minister noted the £87 million investment supporting schools to tailor careers advice, including for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). He explained the importance of transforming careers and guiding learners to the right options.
The Minister proceeded to answer questions from members. These focused on lifelong learning, international students, degree apprenticeship regulation, the teacher pension scheme, and the financial sustainability of the sector, amongst others.