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Philip Augar questioned on implications of Post-18 review for research

25 June 2019

In his first appearance before Parliament since the publication of the Augar Review, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will question Dr Philip Augar and members of the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding.

Purpose of session

The Committee will ask if the witnesses considered how their recommendations would affect universities' research budgets given the complex cross-subsidies involved in university finances. It will further ask if the panel gave consideration to the other functions of universities aside from teaching, such as their role in communities and enhancing social mobility, when making their recommendations.

Witnesses

Tuesday 25 June in Committee Room 4A, Palace of Westminster

At 10.25am

  • Dr Philip Augar, Chair, Review of Post-18 Education and Funding
  • Professor Sir Ivor Crewe, Panel Member, Review of Post-18 Education and Funding
  • Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, Panel Member, Review of Post-18 Education and Funding
  • Matt Toombs, Secretariat, Review of Post-18 Education and Funding

Possible questions

  • Why was £7,500 chosen as the new figure for tuition fees when recent analysis from KPMG suggests even the cheapest courses cost universities upwards of £8,800?
  • The Augar Review suggests "adjust[ing] the teaching grant attached to each subject to reflect more accurately the subject's reasonable costs and its social and economic value to students and taxpayers”. Did the panel consider the impact this could have on particular departments, their research outputs and their researcher base?
  • Did the panel consider that for some universities operating at or near a deficit, income cuts could result in closures?
  • Do you envision that universities will need to increase the number of international students to plug the gap from tuition fees?

Further information