By Dale Bassett, Senior Researcher, Reform
All parties are now united on the need to cut public spending to reduce the deficit. But details on individual budgets have been scanty.
But one area of policy has seen all the urgency and all the political leadership that anyone would want to see – the universities budget. Since December, Lord Mandelson has announced reductions in university and research funding that, the Higher Education Funding Council revealed yesterday, will amount to £449 million next year.
The Government has taken the right approach. It has realised that cutting spending does not have to decrease the quality of service. It has faced down the vested interests in the system and has not been afraid to criticise overreaction. It has floated new ideas for increasing the efficiency of the sector, such as Lord Mandelson’s suggestion that more degrees could be taught in two years rather than three. It is regrettable that the Opposition has offered such an unhelpful response.
Lord Browne’s review, which will report after the election, will almost certainly conclude that a bigger role for private contributions will help to safeguard our universities. Higher fees and a revised student support package will allow universities to increase provision while easing the strain on the public purse.
These are encouraging signs. There is no doubt that universities can get more bang for their buck, and the cuts that have been made in this area are proof that political leadership does work. It raises the question: if politicians can show leadership and innovation, take on entrenched interests and involve more private finance in the provision of universities, why can’t they do it for every public service?
