Channel 4

Debate between Michelle Donelan and Margaret Ferrier

Monday 9th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan]

I know that my hon. Friend has been vocal on this topic. It is absolutely essential that we support Channel 4 in its levelling-up agenda. That is why I am particularly delighted that it is doubling its investment in skills and doubling the number of jobs outside London while retaining its footprint in the capital.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

Part of the agreement is that Channel 4 will double the number of jobs outside London, so what discussions have Ministers had with the broadcaster about how many jobs that will lead to in Glasgow specifically?

[Michelle Donelan]

Channel 4 has been very open in saying that these jobs will be based in a number of locations, including Glasgow, but the exact number in each location will be a decision led by Channel 4, which will communicate that itself.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Donelan and Margaret Ferrier

Monday 14th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

8. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to student loan requirements on social mobility.

[The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Michelle Donelan)]

Our changes mean a fairer deal for students, graduates and the taxpayer, and build on our work to drive up quality so that more young people go on to complete their education and then go on to graduate jobs, delivering real social mobility.

[Margaret Ferrier]

Decreasing eligibility, extending the repayment period and lowering the repayment threshold for student loans will disproportionately impact students from low-income families, and removing education opportunities will impact the trajectories of their lives and careers. What impact assessment has been undertaken on these changes from an equality perspective and how they will stifle student numbers?

[Michelle Donelan]

When we published our response to Augar, we also published our impact assessment in full, but at the heart of our plans is fairness, as I have said, for the taxpayer, for students and for graduates. No student will pay back more in real terms than they borrow. This is the Government delivering on our manifesto pledge to cut interest rates.

--- Later in debate ---

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

T3. What plans does the Minister have to help enable universities to diversify their international student cohorts, so that they are not reliant on funding from countries such as China?

[The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Michelle Donelan)]

We recently updated our international education strategy, and we are proud to be home to so many international students who enrich our culture in our universities and local towns. We have beaten our target many years ahead, which is testament to how dedicated we are to continue to grow our international pool of students.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michelle Donelan and Margaret Ferrier

Monday 2nd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan]

This is essential. We have a target for 2030 of 600,000 international students coming to this country. We do value their importance as an international facilitator in our education system.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

A total of 32% of 15 to 30-year-olds from the UK can read and write in a foreign language, compared with 79% in France, 91% in Germany and an incredible 99% in Denmark. Does the Minister believe that cutting off access to programmes such as Erasmus will boost or further worsen those dismal figures?