For immediate release
Responding today (Monday 9 November 2009) to the launch of the independent review of higher education funding and student finance, Sir Martin Harris, Director of Fair Access, said: “I warmly welcome the appointment of Lord Browne of Madingley to lead the Review assessing the first three years of higher tuition fees and look forward to working with him.
“As set out in the Higher Education Act 2004, my role will be to report to the Review on whether the introduction of higher fees has deterred students in general from accessing higher education and, in particular, whether it has deterred students from under represented groups. I now welcome the additional task of reporting to the Review the conclusions of my report on access to highly selective universities.
“I will also be happy to advise on and help evaluate any proposals the Review wishes to consider in respect of future fees and provision for student support.
“Clearly, whatever the outcome of the Review, it will be important to safeguard access to higher education for students from under represented groups and ensure that no one is deterred from accessing higher education on financial grounds.”
Ends
For more information, please contact Zita Adamson, OFFA Communications Manager, on 0117 931 7272 or 0117 931 7171.
Note to editors
- The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) is an independent, non departmental public body established under the Higher Education Act 2004 to help promote and safeguard fair access to higher education. Our main remit is to regulate the charging of higher tuition fees by institutions offering higher education courses.
- As set out in the new framework for higher education published last week, ‘Higher Ambitions – the Future of Universities in Knowledge Economy’, Sir Martin Harris has been asked to ‘consult Vice Chancellors and advise the Government by Spring 2010 on further action that could be taken to widen access to highly selective universities for those from under privileged backgrounds – and to ensure that measures for wider access are prioritised most effectively and do not suffer in a time of greater fiscal constraints.’