10 Conclusion
256. The Government's reform of Higher Education
represents a radical overhaul of the sector and will have a lasting
impact not only on students but also on universities. In a number
of areas—the provision of better and more extensive information,
advice and guidance for all prospective students, the extension
of tuition fee loans to part-time students, and a clearer requirement
on universities to widen participation—the proposals have
received widespread support. Certain reforms, for example the
trebling of tuition fees, proved controversial. The Government's
reforms also have to be considered in the context of the current
economic reality and we do not dispute that savings needed to
be made in the higher education budget. We also recognise the
need for graduates to contribute to the cost of their education.
257. Our inquiry into the Government's reforms
has highlighted a number of areas of concern. Decisions were taken
early on regarding the raising of tuition fees. While it may have
been necessary to resolve the issue of tuition fees early, the
need for a clear communications strategy could have been more
effectively realised.
258. When the Government published the White
Paper, it announced a number of consultation exercises which would
flesh out reforms in a number of key areas: early repayment penalties
for loans, the future of student number controls, loans for students
studying at alternative providers, "off quota" students
and a new regulatory framework for new and alternative providers.
The detail to be required in the Key Information Sets has yet
to be finalised. There will also need to be changes to both OFFA
and HEFCE to reflect their changing responsibilities in the Higher
Education sector.
259. Consultation is to be welcomed although
the Government has set itself a challenging timetable. The new
fee regime is to start at the beginning of the next academic year
and we are concerned to ensure that these consultations will deliver
the necessary coherent package of reforms to that timetable. It
is vital that a new fee regime does not start without key aspects
of the wider reform package in place.
260. Successful delivery of these reforms is
a key component of providing a prosperous Higher Education sector.
Therefore, we strongly believe that they should be implemented
as a package and not in a piecemeal way as both students and universities
need certainty in the new system if they are to make informed
decisions. We therefore urge the Government to ensure that its
delivery programme has sufficient flexibility to accommodate a
later implementation to deliver its reforms. To do so would be
seen as a strength both for Government and for the sector it seeks
to reform.
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