Dear colleague,
Today there are only 90 days left to go before the one in a lifetime EU Referendum vote. This is an important topic for universities, both staff and students, and parliamentarians alike, no matter which side of the debate you fall. Last week we published an issue paper on the impact for universities if there was a Brexit, Bernard Jenkin MP supplied the leave argument and Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow the remain. You can read both essays here.
On 1 March the group had an excellent meeting to discuss BME students and social mobility. There was a lively discussion on the use of the term BME and David Lammy provided some challenge to the sector attendees on their work in this area. This was topical for the group as the Social Mobility Advisory Group is due to be providing recommendations to Government and the sector in the next few months. For those that are interested in learning more, Niaomi Collett’s blog, Professor Anna Vignoles slides and a note of the meeting are all available online.
The big news of the month has been the almost confirmation of an HE Bill in the Queen’s Speech. We know now that the State Opening will take place on Wednesday 18 May and a Bill has been trailed in many news outlets over the last few weeks. Our meeting above on social mobility fits well with the expected theme of the speech ‘life chances’. Of course in the meantime, we are still waiting BIS’ response to the Green Paper, and whether this comes before or after 18 May is still to be determined.
Finally, I’m looking forward to Chairing our next meeting on Tuesday 12 April on Flexible Pathways. Just confirmed for the panel is the Rt Hon David Willetts, who we know well as the former higher education Minister and now of course sits in the House of Lords. He will be discussing his thoughts on the part-time system, including where Government should have previously and could now intervene.
Lord Norton of Louth
Co-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary University Group