Universities: Impact of Industrial Action on Students Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Universities: Impact of Industrial Action on Students

Lord Vaux of Harrowden Excerpts
Thursday 16th March 2023

(1 year, 9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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On the noble Lord’s question relating to the role of the Office for Students, obviously it is the regulator of higher education in this country; it does not get involved in industrial disputes. It has a part to play in making sure that universities continue to meet their conditions of registration, which allow them to be eligible for public funding, and their obligations under consumer protection law.

Lord Vaux of Harrowden Portrait Lord Vaux of Harrowden (CB)
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My Lords, can I push the Minister on the last part of the noble Lord’s question? I should declare an interest: I have two sons who are at university at the moment, both of whom have lost a lot of days due to strike action. Normally when an organisation provides a service for a fee, it has to refund part of that fee if does not provide the service. Why is that not the case with universities?