Million+ welcome for new uni minister
Think-tank million+ has praised the appointment of universities and science minister Greg Clark, who will retain his job as cities minister.
Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of
million+, said:
“We warmly welcome the appointment of Greg Clark as Universities and Science Minister. His retention of the cities brief and attendance at Cabinet will help ensure that the role of universities in boosting regional growth remains centre stage.
“Few people believe that the government’s current plan to fund higher education expansion on the back of the sale of £2bn of student loans really adds up.
“Negotiating a funding settlement for teaching and research which is sustainable and encourages participation is one of the early challenges which he will face but is not the only urgent item in his in-tray.”
“Dr Clark will need to pick up the cudgels on behalf of international students. Both they and the universities which they attend, are being short-changed by the Home Office and this is one battle that he needs to win.”
Former universities and science minister David Willetts is leaving the government after four years at BIS. He also served as shadow innovation, universities and skills secretary from 2007 until the Tories came into government in 2010.
