Higher Education (Student Finance)

Vince Cable Excerpts

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable)]

Lord Browne of Madingley today presented the Government with the findings of the independent review of higher education funding and student finance.

The review was tasked with making recommendations to Government on the future of fees policy and financial support for full and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in England.

The report is the culmination of months of diligent inquiry by Lord Browne and his panel of experts. They have taken evidence from a wide range of people including students, the higher education sector and business.

We will judge their recommendations against the criteria set out in the coalition agreement, including the need to:

increase social mobility;

take into account the impact on student debt;

ensure a properly funded university sector;

improve the quality of teaching;

advance scholarship; and

attract a higher proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

I am placing a copy of the report in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies will also be available from both the Vote and Printed Paper Office. Electronic copies are available on the BIS website.

I intend to respond to the report in an oral statement to the House at 3.30pm today.