Universities: European Union Students

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Cormack

Wednesday 15th March 2017 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

The noble Lord is correct on the figures. They are somewhat as expected. Data published by UCAS for nursing applications from English domiciled applicants show a dip of around 23%, so he is correct. However, at a national level, these figures will still allow the NHS in England to fill the 20,000 or so student nursing training places, assuming that students meet the entry requirements of their offer from their course provider.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

But, my Lords, there is concern throughout the academic community, as my noble friend made clear a moment or two ago. What plans do my noble friend and his ministerial colleagues have to meet some of the 35 heads of Oxford colleges and the vice-chancellor, who wrote to express this concern on Monday of this week?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I have read that letter in the Times. I will certainly need to write to my noble friend on what plans there are to meet them. However, I am sure that Jo Johnson is very much aware of this.

Private Colleges

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Cormack

Wednesday 21st December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

The new alternative providers, such as the recently announced Dyson Institute, will include some student number controls, but there will be a rigorous risk-based approach to quality assurance and a moratorium on the designation of new higher national courses. There will also be a fit-and-proper-person test for the running of APs. The noble Baroness and I will meet later and I look forward to talking further to her about that issue.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

My Lords, does my noble friend know the current percentage of foreign students at these private colleges? What does he expect it to be in a year’s time?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I do not have that particular figure, but there is no change and no cap on foreign students coming to study in this country, as the Home Secretary has made clear.

Arts: Business Rate Relief

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Cormack

Thursday 10th March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I cannot prejudge for the noble Baroness the result of the review. However, when we launched it, we did say that we recognise that some sectors, such as charities, play an important part in the community and that the Government have no intention of increasing business rates for those deserving of relief.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

My Lords, can we take comfort from the fact that in the Autumn Statement, which was extremely sensitive and very well received, the Chancellor said that cuts here were a false economy? Can we hope that that will be the prevailing philosophy?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I hope that that will be the prevailing philosophy but I emphasise that it is a wide-ranging review that will include a robust analysis of the trends in the use of non-domestic property and property values covering a range of areas.

Carbon Emissions

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Cormack

Thursday 16th July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I do not know about the examples that the noble Lord mentioned, but in relation to windmills, or wind farms, decarbonisation must work for the local communities where infrastructure is built. We remain focused on getting the best deals for bill payers, to make these schemes work better.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

If the Government continued with wind farms, how many jobs would be lost in the tourism industry?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

As ever, my Lords, there is a balance to be struck.