1 Terms of Reference
1. This inquiry was launched in February 2011
in the expectation of the imminent publication of the Government's
Higher Education White Paper (originally promised for Winter 2010).
The Terms of Reference were deliberately broad, in the absence
of the White Paper, enabling us to spark a debate about the issues
considered most important by students and their parents, universities,
academics and employers. Witnesses to this inquiry were invited
to submit evidence on the following points:
i. The conclusions of the Browne Report and the
content of the Government's proposed White Paper on higher education;
and
ii. The role and future of state funding in higher
education.
2. We are very grateful to all those who gave
oral evidence between mid-March and the end of May. We had hoped
to take oral evidence on the content of the White Paper, but its
eventual publication only three weeks before the Summer recess
meant that we were limited to one oral evidence session after
its publication, with the Advocate for Access to Education, Simon
Hughes MP, and the Minister for Universities and Science, David
Willetts MP.
3. In reporting our findings, we have not attempted
to re-run the Browne review, nor to address every issue raised
by witnesses in what were extremely interesting, enlightening
and wide-ranging evidence sessions. We have instead, provided
our analysis of the Government's proposals. While at times we
are critical of those proposals, our Report should be seen as
a constructive engagement with Government on those issues we consider
to be most in need of urgent action. There remain many uncertainties
and policy details which are still out to consultation, and we
look forward to discussing these with Ministers in more detail
when firm proposals are made.
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