Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing higher education institutions to develop alternative pension options.

The government acknowledges the significant impact of our world-leading higher education (HE) sector. As both educational and research institutions, these universities make a vital contribution to our economy, society, and to industry and innovation.

The department appreciates the impact of the increased Teachers‘ Pension Scheme employer contribution rate on some HE providers and is working with departmental officials and stakeholders across the sector to better understand the impact of this issue.

We are also reviewing options to deliver a more robust HE sector and will set out a long-term plan for reform by summer 2025.