Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.University leaders yesterday warned the Government they could do nothing to fulfil its goals of wider access to high-quality higher education without an injection of more than pounds 120m into the sector next year.
Vice-chancellors meeting in Glasgow laid down the challenge after it emerged ministers plan to bring forward an announcement on university funding to within the next fortnight.
They made clear that an additional sum of pounds 120m, which would reduce a cut in the higher education budget from 6.5 per cent to 1 per cent, would be the minimum they would accept.
Anything less would damage quality and jeopardise the long-term future of the sector, according to Professor Martin Harris, chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals.
However, universities insist up to pounds 230m more is essential if they are to implement any of the improvements recommended by the Dearing committee on higher education, which reported last July. The committee, which recommended the introduction of tuition fees, said an increased contribution from students should be rewarded with higher-quality education, guaranteed standards and wider access to universities.
It remained unclear yesterday whether an expected extra sum for universities, likely to be announced at the Labour Party conference, would match the minimum laid down by vice-chancellors.
The higher education minister, Baroness Blackstone, addressing the CVCP residential conference on Wednesday, asked for patience as the Government finalised funding details but hinted at good news amid rumours of an extra pounds 100m being made available.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments