01 August 2003
Universities UK has attacked Education Secretary Charles Clarke's failure to listen to their concerns over higher education funding after he rejected the findings of a committee of MPs.
The organisation, which represents British universities, accused Clarke of ignoring criticisms of government plans to reform the system of financing universities, which were set out in a white paper earlier this year.
Professor Roderick Floud, president of Universities UK, said the minister was merely restating his existing position, although Clarke claimed he was responding to views that had been expressed.
He added: 'We see little evidence of responsiveness, although we welcome the commitment made to further consultation – as long as the government is open to the possibility of change as a result.'
Floud's comments came after Clarke responded on July 28 to a report published three weeks earlier by the Commons' education select committee, which called for a rethink of the government's reforms.
MPs said the poorest students should get more financial assistance and be exempt from charges, and universities should be allowed to impose top-up fees of up to £5,000 instead of the proposed £3,000.
They dismissed Clarke's plan for an access regulator to promote diversity among students as 'unnecessary micro-management'.
But the minister's formal response this week clearly indicated that the government intends to stick with the reform strategy it has set out.
Clarke said: 'We have faced up to hard choices on funding, fairness, quality, research and management through what we regard as the most credible long-term strategy for investment and reform.'
PFaug2003
