Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 11th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Ah, universities and the running thereof, Mr David Willetts.

[Mr David Willetts (Havant) (Con)]

I was hoping to ask the Minister about Glasgow and to confirm that in a nationwide competition, Glasgow city won the funding to get £25 million of investment in smart city technologies. Do we not think that the best way for Glasgow to remain a smart city is for it to remain part of the United Kingdom?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 26th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

I met Doug Richards in a very upbeat mood only half an hour ago, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we agree with Doug Richards that employers should purchase apprenticeship training. We want providers to respond to businesses, not to Government. We have consulted widely on how to make that happen. We will publish details of our preferred payment mechanism and next steps in the autumn.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman and the Minister appear to have a symbiotic relationship, and we are grateful for that, I am sure.

[Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op)]

Despite all the praiseworthy emphasis that the Government have placed on increasing the number of apprentices, the number of apprenticeship starts in the under-19 age group is dropping. The BIS Committee recommended that the Government should use public procurement to increase those numbers, as a lot of local authorities do. Why have the Government not done it?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 24th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and congratulate him on his commitment, particularly to education as it affects Liverpool.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Simon Hughes, from the distant territory of Southwark and Bermondsey.

[Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD)]

When I visited Liverpool to do some work for the Government on access to education, I was clear that one thing that students there wanted was the opportunity for scholarships to help with living costs. Will the Minister update us on the roll-out of the scholarship programme for young people from deprived backgrounds in Liverpool and elsewhere?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 20th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

For the first time, we have required that key information sets contain the information that prospective students want about, for example, employment outcomes from particular courses at particular universities. People are entitled to that information—it was not available before, but now it is.

[Mr Speaker]

I gather that that is an example of the Minister sizzling.

[Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Lab)]

I am afraid the Minister is trying to gloss over the facts of his record. The reality is that two years on from the Government’s decision to treble tuition fees to £9,000 a year, applications have dropped by 54,000, which is 11%; acceptances are down, as are the numbers of mature learners and part-time learners; his core and margin policy has caused nothing but chaos and confusion; his AAB policy has been a dramatic failure; and to top it all off, legitimate international students are choosing to go to our competitor countries to study as a result of Home Office policies. Is not the truth that the past two years under this Government have been a disaster for students and universities alike?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 24th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

That pre-prepared speech had nothing to do with the reality of the industrial strategy being pursued by this coalition, which is delivering big increases in exports to the big markets of the future. Exports to China are up 18%, exports to India are up 29% and exports to Brazil are up 11%. Employment is up, inflation is down and public borrowing is down. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) is usually such a measured and emollient fellow. He must calm himself.

[Mr Willetts]

We are committed to working with all our partners across the British economy, including business, to ensure that there is investment in the high-tech businesses of the future. The recent announcements of investments in General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and GlaxoSmithKline show that the strategy is bearing fruit.

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[Mr Willetts]

Earlier this week we produced our energy strategy, which involves ensuring not just a fair deal for consumers, but sustaining investment in energy in Britain.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not want the Minister to lose his handkerchief. It is about to fall out, but I am sure he can rescue it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 15th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

With permission, Mr Speaker, I shall answer this question with Question 17.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Minister will not do so, notwithstanding his extremely good intentions, as the grouping is broken for the very good reason that the hon. Gentleman in question has withdrawn his question. Nevertheless, we look forward to hearing the Minister’s mellifluous tones.

[Mr Willetts]

In that case, Mr Speaker, I shall reserve my answer to the question before us.

The latest UCAS figures show that 30.6% of UK school leavers applied to university, down from 31.4% the year before but still the second highest on record. This will still be a competitive year for access to university, like any other, as people continue to understand that university remains a good long-term investment in their future.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 2nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

I thank the hon. Lady for the advance notice of her question. Contrary to the stories of collapse and disaster, we believe that the fact that applications have fallen only by 1% is evidence that the message that students do not have to pay is getting across, and this summer I shall once more sadly be in the position of having to explain why young people applying to go to university do not have a place. In other words, we have succeeded in explaining the truth about our proposals, contrary to the misleading allegations of the Opposition.

[Mr Speaker]

I know that the Minister will not be suggesting that any Opposition Member has misled the House. I am sure he is referring to activity outside the House.

[Mr Willetts]

indicated assent.

[Mr Speaker]

I am extremely grateful for that ministerial head-nod, if I can put it that way.

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend the Minister join me in reassuring my constituents that, unlike the views of the Opposition, under our scheme a top-quality university degree will actually cost them only £30 a month when they are earning £25,000 a year?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 8th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

With permission, Mr Speaker, I propose to answer this question with question 13—

[Mr Speaker]

I am reluctant to argue with Two Brains, but I think the link is with question 14.

[Mr Willetts]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I am pleased to announce that the Government have today published our innovation and research strategy for growth.

--- Later in debate ---

[George Freeman]

I welcome that announcement. Does the Minister agree that the investment of £50 million in a world-class hub is testament to the Government’s serious commitment to a rebalanced economy and a regional growth strategy? Will he agree to place a sample of graphene—like this—in the Library for the edification of us all?

[Mr Speaker]

The use of such props is on the whole discouraged, but we will let the hon. Gentleman off on this occasion.

[Mr Willetts]

I do not think that that is quite life science—nor is it supposed to be life-size, because it is one atom. I have some graphene in my office, and I would be very happy to show it to people who want to know what has been discovered. I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. As a result of the Chancellor’s announcement, we are now able to invest in labs that will ensure that researchers can develop and research the applications of this important material.

[Mr Speaker]

May I appeal to Members not to pass that rather unglamorous specimen around the Chamber? The hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman), to whom I have been generous, should secrete his graphene away, and behave with the tact and discretion for which he was previously renowned.

[Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) (Lab)]

I beg to disagree, Mr Speaker. Graphene is very glamorous, and it is a fantastic discovery, made in Manchester. The Minister will be aware from his appearances before the Science and Technology Committee that there is a huge imbalance between the public investment in science in the golden triangle between Oxford, Cambridge and London, and investment in the rest of the country. Is this not a great opportunity to invest the vast bulk of that £50 million in Manchester, where the two Nobel laureates discovered graphene?

[Mr Willetts]

The hon. Gentleman makes a clear case. Of course, the issue is now being investigated by the EPSRC and the TSB, but we recognise the crucial role that Manchester played in the discovery, and I am sure that its role will continue.

[Mr Speaker]

Of course I readily concede that something unglamorous can also be very important. I call Penny Mordaunt. [Laughter.] Order. I am delighted that the House is in such a good mood.

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[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

Yes, we have made an assessment of the benefits to business of investing in low-cost radar satellites. This is an important investment of £21 million, which we hope will enable business investment to follow on, including possibly in my hon. Friend’s constituency.

[Mr Speaker]

I was referring to the item, not to a human being. I call Penny Mordaunt.

[Penny Mordaunt]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Earth observation satellites are critical in helping developing countries manage humanitarian and environmental crises. Does my right hon. Friend see merit in giving such countries British technology or satellite time—provided it is the best for the job, and it usually is—rather than having ring-fenced funding to purchase such services from a third country?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 27th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

We are—[Interruption.] We are carefully considering the impact of the ruling—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think we have had enough references to animals. Let us now experience the product of one of the brains of the Minister.

[Mr Willetts]

I will do my best, Mr Speaker.

As I was saying, we are carefully considering the impact of the ruling on current UK patent practice. The Technology Strategy Board currently funds 15 studies involving human stem cells, two of which use human embryonic stem cells. The TSB and the research councils will continue to support and fund research on stem cells from all sources, including embryonic.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 14th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

The hon. Gentleman does higher education a great disservice. In my experience, vice-chancellors are looking forward to the challenge of attracting students and know that one in four students will be bringing their money to the university that they choose, as we push back the quotas. They also see that in our White Paper we envisage universities having 10% more cash coming to them in four years’ time than they have now.

[Mr Speaker]

May I just remind the House that the question is specifically about the Open university? I know that that is what the hon. Gentleman on the Opposition Front Bench will be asking his question about.

[Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)]

I am always grateful for your helpful advice, Mr Speaker.

As the Minister reflects on his important meeting with the vice-chancellor of the Open university this week and as he worries, too, about the number of would-be students set to be turned away from university this summer on his watch, can he tell the House which of the following he is most proud of? Is it the decisions that have already been taken by the Government to axe 24,000 student places? Is it his plan to axe another 20,000 places at quality universities in order to fund an auction to the lowest bidder? Or is it his claim that universities charging the full £9,000 would be the exception?

Higher Education White Paper

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Tuesday 28th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

We on the Government Benches believe in openness, flexibility and innovation, but every time we propose it, Labour Members call it chaos. We are not going to have a central plan, and we are not going to say exactly what the quota is for each individual university—and rightly so. We believe in openness and diversity, and the hon. Gentleman ought to be able to recognise that moving away from a centrally planned system, which of course will mean less central control, does not mean chaos; it means students getting the higher education they want.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. As I said to the Justice Secretary the other day, Ministers at the Dispatch Box should not operate like rotating cruise ships, constantly turning round to their own side. It is entirely understandable, but we want to see the right hon. Gentleman.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

I very much welcome the White Paper, particularly the provisions for part-time students. Will my right hon. Friend give me more details about his idea for student charters?

Off-quota University Places

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Tuesday 10th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

We absolutely do want the public and private sectors to work together. That is why we do not like the regime that we inherited from the previous Government, which had what are called “closed places”—that is, specially restricted places that are the only off-quota places that employers can sponsor. I very much value the advice of the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes)—who, if I might say so, made a powerful intervention in a previous debate in this House on higher education, only last week or the week before, about how our student finance reforms will work, which was exactly the right way forward for student finance in this country. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want to hear—and I am sure that the House wants to hear—Mr Dave Watts.

[Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab)]

Will the Minister explain what is to stop a rich business man buying his son a place at university?

Higher Education Fees

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 9th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman will resume his seat. I call the Minister.

[Mr Willetts]

If I may say so, that was a disgraceful intervention.

The Government are committed to explaining how our proposals are progressive, how they will improve social mobility and how they will give our universities secure financial backing for the future. Members on both sides of the House have asked about the speed with which we are implementing our proposals. In fact, that was the Opposition’s main point—they want more time for a review and a Green Paper. I should explain to the House that the proposals emerge from Lord Browne’s review, which was set up by the Labour Government more than a year ago. The inquiry took evidence in public and received evidence from Members of all parties. We believe that we are implementing proposals—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Whatever people’s feelings, the Minister must be heard.

[Mr Willetts]

I was explaining how we have not rushed our proposals. They were based on a report that was introduced and commissioned by Labour a year ago. The changes will not come into force for the first generation of students until September 2012. It is necessary to take the financing decisions now so that universities can plan for them. If we do not take those decisions now, students and universities will find that universities have less grant, and that they are unable to replace it with income from students, which is what we are introducing—that is the key feature of our proposals.

We often hear Opposition Members talk about the loss of teaching grant, but they do not talk about the other side of the proposal—the extra money that can come to universities through the choices of students. We trust students. Taxpayers will provide students with the money to pay the fees. That will ensure that universities can continue to enjoy the levels of income that they enjoy at the moment. That money will not be handed out from Whitehall; it will come from the choices of students.

We believe that those students will continue to choose arts and humanities. There is no bias against arts and humanities—[Interruption.] Our proposals are equitable, and we believe that they will ensure that students can choose the courses that they wish.

Higher Education Funding

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Wednesday 3rd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD)]

I accept and welcome the fact that this proposal is more progressive than the current system, but I cannot accept that it has to be tied to an increase in fees. That is something that I cannot and will not accept. Will the Minister acknowledge some perversities within the idea of increasing fees? First, increasing fees to £6,000 leads to the possibility that students going into lower-entry courses and institutions will subsidise those on higher-entry courses. Secondly—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman will resume his seat. I am sorry but this is the second—[Interruption]. Order. This is the second time that this has happened today. There are lots of Members trying to get in. I want to help the hon. Gentleman and other Members, but we cannot have twin-hatted questions. It will not do.

[Mr Willetts]

I am not aware of any feature of the proposals which would lead to the cross-subsidy that concerns the hon. Gentleman.

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[Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, although it is undeniably true that earlier generations of students, including most of us, got a much more generous deal, it was always based on a very restrictive formula for exactly to whom it could be generous? We all benefited. In future, if we want to have wider access, improve social mobility and protect the high quality of our university education, which does carry a cost, exactly this sort of measure, which ties contribution more closely to cost, will be necessary—

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful. I call the Minister.

[Mr Willetts]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Many of us in this House benefited from a higher education system that was funded in a very different way from today’s system, and we were able to enjoy that system only because such a small proportion of young people went to university. As we see so many more people going to university nowadays, which is a trend that we welcome, it is right and necessary to put university financing on a better basis.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Willetts]

I was not aware of that specific sum of money, but I would be interested in looking into the matter further. There is certainly a wider problem that bursary spending does not appear to be influencing access and participation by prospective students. That is why we believe there should be initiatives by individual universities, and that their performance should be monitored externally. That will be a far more effective way of spreading participation and broadening access to our universities.

[Mr Speaker]

I am grateful to the Minister and to other colleagues for their co-operation.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Willetts and John Bercow

Thursday 8th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

The John Innes centre is a centre for plant science, but that does not mean it was a planted question.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I gently remind the Minister, who always looks very comfortable at the Dispatch Box but is usually looking the wrong way, that he needs to look at, and address, the House as a whole?