Augar review

The independent panel, led by Philip Augar, has today (30 May) published its findings and recommendations for the Government’s review of post-18 education and funding in England.

The Augar Review has over 60 recommendations and covers all of HE and FE, both the 50 per cent of young people who do not attend higher education as well as the 50 per cent who do, with the aim of improving opportunity and providing the skills required in a fast-changing economy.

The panel recommends a lifelong learning loan allowance available in modules, an employer-focused suite of higher technical qualifications and free intermediate education for ‘second chance’ adults delivered through a strengthened FE college network.

The panel found that while there is much to admire in higher education, some students are charged too much for their degrees and the substantial taxpayer subsidy could be better directed. Proposals include a cut in tuition fees to £7500, with overall university sector income protected by an increased government contribution to teaching costs. That contribution should be aligned with the modern Industrial Strategy and directed to courses which cost more to deliver and offer better value to students and taxpayers.

The panel also believes that Student loans are not well understood, and therefore recommends that the system be explained better, including a new name – the Student Contribution System. The system should be overhauled to reduce in-study interest charges but to increase the proportion of loans that is eventually repaid.

The panel welcomes the increase in the number of students entering higher education from low-income families in recent years, but notes that much more still needs to be done. Proposals for disadvantaged students include the re-introduction of maintenance grants, an increase in resources to support them while studying and an Office for Students-led focus on the outcomes achieved by the large amount of fee income that universities are required to spend on widening participation.

In the Government response to the Augar Review, DfE has announced a new package of measures on higher education reforms, alongside the publication of two consultations on Minimum Eligibility Requirements and a Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE).