Our inquiry
6. Our inquiry focused on: the arguments for and
against the Government's decision to phase out support to institutions
for students studying ELQs; the timing of the Government's decision
and of the implementation of the change; the appropriateness of
exemptions from the withdrawal of funding proposed by HEFCE; the
impact upon students, including whether the change will affect
some groups of students more than others; and the impact of the
change upon institutions, with particular reference to the long-term
implications for specialised institutions such as the Open University
(OU) and Birkbeck College.[10]
7. Because of the timetable under which the implementation
arrangements were finalised, our inquiry has been swift. We held
a two-part evidence session on 17 January 2008: first with the
National Union of Students (NUS), the University and College Union
(UCU), the OU and Birkbeck College; and secondly with Bill Rammell
MP, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education
at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS),
and Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of HEFCE. We received
memoranda and correspondence from nearly 500 institutions, organisations
and individuals (including many affected by the changes).
8. Despite a request, the Government did not provide
us with a written memorandum on the withdrawal of support for
ELQ students. The Minister sought to argue that it was sufficient
for him and Professor Eastwood to appear before the committee
"to discuss [the proposals] in detail" without a written
memorandum.[11] Without
the detail in a memorandum, however, we are hindered in our ability,
as the Minister himself put it, "to question us, to challenge
us, to scrutinise us, on the proposals that were being put forward".[12]
We consider it unacceptable for there to be no memorandum provided
from the Government. We expect government departments fully to
comply with all reasonable requests for written submissions before
they appear before us in future.
9. Our report examines:
a) the policy on public funding for ELQ students;
b) the timetable for, and consultation on, the
changes announced in September 2007;
c) the effectiveness of the policy;
d) the impact on certain institutions and groups;
and
e) the transitional arrangements and exemptions.
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