Spending Review 2015: David Phoenix comments
Vice Chancellor David Phoenix says the Chancellor's Spending Review is a mixed bag for higher education institutions and students in the UKVice Chancellor and Chair of university think tank million+, David Phoenix has commented on the government’s Spending Review 2015, saying it’s a mixed bag for both universities and students.
David Phoenix said, “I welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to extend maintenance loans to part-time students and the removal of the age-limit of 30 on postgraduate loans although the requirement that students will have to study at 50% intensity will not help many of the part-time students who want to study at postgraduate level. In other respects this Spending Review is a mixed bag for both universities and students.
“However, the possible 50% cut in the Student Opportunity Allocation by 2019 in order to fund the additional costs of nursing and other allied health profession students being transferred to the student loan system, is deeply disappointing and a sting in the tale for universities which are at the forefront of both delivering innovative health education courses and widening access to university. The move to replace bursaries with loans must also be carefully monitored for its impact on mature students, many of whom enter these professions later in life and are a great asset to the NHS.”
Find the full statement on the million+ website, or read the Chancellor’s full Spending Review.