09.10.07
1994 Group response to the Pre-Budget Report
As the group of universities representing nineteen of the most research-intensive universities in the UK, the 1994 Group welcomes the Chancellor's announcement this afternoon of significant new investment in Higher Education.
Professor Steve Smith, Chair of the 1994 Group and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter said:
'This extremely important announcement recognises the tremendous achievements of the Higher Education sector in the delivery of world class research, innovation, teaching and knowledge transfer activities. There is, however, more to do to ensure that we can sustain and build upon this recognised excellence. As a Group, we particularly welcome the Chancellor's commitment to maintain per student spending levels in real terms over the CSR07 period and the above inflation increase in the funding for science which will see investment increase to £6.3 billion by 2010-11.'
In addition, the 1994 Group welcomes the Chancellor's announcement that the recommendations of the Sainsbury Review of the Government's Science and Innovation Policies will be implemented in full.
'We particularly welcome the announcement that funding for the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) will be increased to £150 million by 2010-11,' said Professor Smith. 'Based on the clear evidence provided by the RAE, all 1994 Group institutions are world class centres of research excellence. They also pride themselves on the work that they do with business, multi-national, national and local. Businesses seek partnerships with those identified as the best. We expect that in taking forward this announcement, HEFCE will reward the achievement of all institutions in their engagement with business.'
Notes for Editors
The 1994 Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in research and teaching. The 1994 Group represents nineteen of the most research-intensive universities in the UK.
The Group's members are small- to medium-sized institutions, and are generally campus-based.
They operate on a human and personal scale, maximising student-staff contact and ensuring an adaptable and inter-disciplinary approach to both research and teaching. Research-led teaching is key to the 1994 Group's mission, and a large majority of the top academics who achieved the Group's outstanding results in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise teach students.
Member universities are: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of Warwick and University of York.
Press Enquiries: Stuart Franklin, Head of Press and PR, University of Exeter, 01392 263146; Paul M. Marshall, Executive Director, 1994 Group, 0207 1642095