Higher Education Funding

Paul Uppal Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Willetts]

There will be a vote on the changes that are necessary in the regulations for fees that are in the legislation that we inherited from when the right hon. Gentleman’s party was in government. Yes, I fully recognise that this is a matter of great interest to Members on both sides of the House and we undertake that that debate should take place on the Floor of the House. The exact amount of time will of course be for the usual channels and party managers to decide.

[Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con)]

Is the Minister aware of the words of Michael Arthur, chairman of the Russell group of universities, this morning? He said of the coalition’s funding initiative that it sends a signal that the Government recognise

“the importance of higher education to the future of our country, its economy and our ability as universities to help the country out of recession.”

[Mr Willetts]

I did hear that interview and I thought that the leader of the Russell group made the point very well. We are backing our universities. The combination of the new freedoms we are offering them today and the excellent settlement for research and science in the comprehensive spending review enables them to go forward on a solid footing.