The Vice Chancellors scupper Vince
David Blackburn 11:13am
Vince Cable won’t be slipping on his dancing shoes at this year’s Lib Dem
conference. A draft of the Browne review into university funding is out today and apparently it does not mention a graduate contribution, Cable’s Lib-Dem friendly answer to tuition fees. The
Times has caught wind of this rumour (£), which is also doing the rounds among higher education think-tanks and
consultants.
This is unsurprising. Neither David Willetts the universities minister, nor his predecessor Lord Mandelson, ever mentioned a graduate contribution until Cable went on manoeuvres because Lord Browne was not seriously considering such a measure. University Vice-Chancellors and the CBI have always believed it to be an unworkable solution that would damage the international competitiveness of Britain’s renowned universities - the FT’s Alex Barker has an excellent summary of its shortcomings.
Cable’s judgement has been questionable throughout this affair. He pre-empted the Browne review with a nakedly political interjection and refused to be deterred by the ensuing criticism. Cable must have realised that his plan had little chance of success, as it would damage one of Britain’s most lucrative industries. Today has brought only rumours, but it looks as if the Sage of Twickenham has delivered another self-inflicted humiliation.
PS: From what I gather, the Browne report advises an increase in tuition fees to £7,000, supported by means testing. Theoretically, the additional funds are re-couped to fund more bursaries and relief for those who can't or won't pay more. I'm told that universities do not advertise or manage bursaries effectively at present. The system is certainly disorganised: I recall a student, who was a millionaire in her own right, receiving £800 so that the college could maintain its charitable status, meanwhile others struggled. Apparently, Lord Browne will recommend that the private sector be involved in marketing and managing funds for bursaries more effectively.
UPDATE: Vince is still unperturbed. According to Paul Waugh, Vince Cable and the government are not fazed by the leaked Browne Report recommendations. Intriguingly, Paul has also heard that tuition fees may rise to £25,000. The report will be published at an unspecified date later this autumn.
UPDATE 2: Former management consultant specialising in higher education, Nik Darlington, has a pertinent counter-argument to the National Union Student’s research into tuition fee hikes and declining applications. A must read for the battle against the left-wing opposition to higher education reform.
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davidk
September 7th, 2010 11:23am Report this commentA timely moment for his 'principled' resignation then?
justathought
September 7th, 2010 11:37am Report this comment"Cable’s judgement has been questionable throughout this affair"
I would go further and question his judgement on trying to break up the banks. The fact if that the banking regulation needs to be tightened but breaking up the banks is not good for UK PLC.
The taxpayers bailout of the banks will be repaid and HSBC and Barclays are contributing taxes to the Revenue.If Vince had his way how long would it be until they decided to move their HQ?
Howard
September 7th, 2010 11:56am Report this commentThe £25000 per student is roughly consistent with £7000 per year.
alexsandr
September 7th, 2010 12:36pm Report this commentHmmm. 7k a year is a sizeable chunk of wad. I am sure kids will think a lot harder if university is really worth that.
Also, if I were paying that amount of money, i would want a very clear contract with the universities product clearly defined (Things like amount of contact time etc). And I woule expect to be able to sue if those standards were not met. Might be a nsaty shock for the academics.
TomTom
September 7th, 2010 12:39pm Report this commentYou can control Price or Volume but not both. So quite a few "Universities" will be going out of business. At present the Treasury front-end funds tuition fees; if private banks are to do so they will be heavily into Unsecured Loans at a time when they are cutting back lending.
Does this mean Students will be able to roll over Student Loans into Mortgages or Car Loans when they need somewhere to live ?
Or does it mean that IVA will become a postgraduate qualification ?
This country has been run by lunatics for years. Keith Joseph destroys perfectly good exams like CSE and GCE for CGSE; John Major destroys perfectly good Polytechnics and Sandwich Degrees; and we end up with bankrupted graduates clutching worthless paper qualifications as foreign graduates take the few job openings left.
550 million Europeans are permitted to work on this island; and most graduate jobs are in the Public Sector. Has The Coalition plans to expand Public Sector employment ?
wrinkled weasel
September 7th, 2010 1:33pm Report this commentI did my first degree when you could get a full grant, means tested, for free. This was because not everyone could get to University or College, due to it being difficult to get your "A" levels.
The big mistake was two fold: first they lowered the bar and de-valued the exams. Then they introduced thousands of Mickey Mouse degrees, so that now, every one has a degree. So my hairdresser told me.
The solution is very simple. First, go back to the principles of a liberal education - Check out Cardinal Newman's piece on it.
Next, what we need in this country is an investment in industry. We must create a partnership with industry for true, meaningful apprenticeships, bound by contract.
When I watch Formula One motor racing, I always remember that the Adrian Neweys and Ross Brauns of this world were first and foremost clever guys who likes tinkering with boxes of bits. One came up the apprentice route, the other got a first in aeronautics, the other was an engineering apprentice.
Both are at the top of their professions, but by the two routes I have suggested here.
It can be done. We must make it happen.
oldtimer
September 7th, 2010 2:49pm Report this commentThe graduate tax idea is a typical DimLib idea. If true, the rumour of its demise is to be warmly welcomed. It has no sensible place within public policy.
Woody
September 7th, 2010 9:22pm Report this commentAnother story based on rumour, leaks and 'Paul understands that'........
Lets wait for the report shall we?
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