Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations he has received on the effect of changes to higher education funding on the Open University.

The Open University (OU) plays an important role in the higher education sector. Department for Education officials have met with senior staff from the OU and I am due to meet with both its interim and immediate former vice chancellors.

The government and the Office for Students (OfS) monitor the financial sustainability of the higher education sector in England. The OfS monitors the financial sustainability of individual providers in receipt of public funding, including the OU.

The independent panel supporting the review of post-18 education and funding recently concluded a call for evidence process which invited all interested parties to submit evidence to inform its work.

The government has provided £48 million to support teaching in 2017 to 2018 at the OU, including funds to support part-time students.