English universities may have to accept the introduction of student number controls if they want to secure increased funding, according to a former Westminster adviser, who aims to work on “breaking the impasse” in his new thinktank role.
Iain Mansfield was special adviser to Gavin Williamson as education secretary, then Michelle Donelan as higher education minister, before his time in the Department for Education ended in August as Ms Donelan exited in the Boris Johnson government’s dying days.
Mr Mansfield’s influence was writ large in ministerial speeches intensely sceptical about the economic value of some higher education, or warning of free speech threats in universities. He shaped the campus free speech bill currently in the House of Lords, as well as forming plans to introduce a minimum entry requirement and student number controls that the Sunak government will decide whether to progress.
