Lords considers new report by Universities UK

On Thursday 14 November, members of the House of Lords debated the findings and recommendations in the Universities UK report: 'Opportunity, growth and partnership: a blueprint for change', published on 30 September.

Debate

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe (Labour), vice president of International Students House, put forward the debate. 

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.     

Members speaking

Contributing members included:

Baroness Barran (Conservative), former Minister for Student Finance at the Department for Education
Baroness Garden of Frognal (Liberal Democrats), former trustee and vice-chair of the Oxford University Society
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench), former chair of governors, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Lord Liddle (Labour), pro-chancellor of Lancaster University and former director of the University of Cumbria.

Opening the debate, Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe said:

'It is widely understood in this House that the funding of universities across the UK is structurally unsustainable.

'Our world-leading university sector can be allowed to slide into decline, or institutions and the government can work together to ensure that the sector delivers for the nation into the 2030s.'

Lord Johnson of Marylebone said:

'The freeze in fees has been detrimental to students themselves, who have, in many cases, seen their institutions lack the resources they need to provide them with the high-quality teaching and wraparound support they want during their studies.'

Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour), Minister for Skills at the Department for Education and Lords spokesperson for equalities, responded on behalf of the government:

'We have demonstrated our commitment to sorting the most immediate financial challenges for the sector, but we expect that to be associated with and done alongside a significant programme of reform.'