The second reading of the fee limits bill offers a chance to reflect on where we are now and where we should go next.
We urgently need positive government and sector action to align disparate university policy so that it works for all stakeholders, enabling universities to play our part in regional growth.
David Willetts recently made the case for universities to change departmental hands in order to capitalise on science and research investment and to restore a ministerial brief for universities. He makes an important point – universities are currently being pulled in too many directions, with too many contrasting government narratives to be able to successfully deliver on the skills agenda for which they are so well placed.
We know that government can see the value of universities to the skills agenda but more coherent policymaking on universities is necessary. Policy thinking has been creative regardless of any judgments – such as the suggestion 50 universities are needed in cold spots to support levelling up.
