25.01.10
1994 Group responds to David Lammy's comments on university funding
Paul Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group of leading research-intensive universities said:
“It is one thing to suggest that there might not be any more funding for the next year, but to say it will not be available at all for several years seems incompatible with the ambitions the government recently set out in its own framework for higher education.”
“The current stream of announcements of cuts to higher education budgets and uncertainty over future funding must be quickly addressed. A genuine vision for sustainably funding higher education is needed that can be shared by institutions, students, taxpayers and government - not just for the next few years but for the foreseeable future.”
“Maintaining the quality of the UK's universities is paramount. Universities are increasingly faced with limited choices. The status quo is not an option. Further investment is the only viable option to prevent universities from being forced into severe cutbacks that would cause a serious decay in the UK’s higher education system with universities struggling to maintain teaching or research quality, unable to invest in the necessary world-class facilities or staff and incapable of meeting our students’ or nation’s needs.”
Notes to Editors
1. In an article for Policy Review magazine today, David Lammy MP, Minister for Higher Education wrote "I suspect it will be a good few years before universities can expect to see any really significant upturn in their income from the public purse.” This follows last month’s announcement from Lord Mandelson that higher education would be cut by £135 million next year, on top of £600m cuts to be made from 2012, announced in the Pre-Budget report, and another £180m of efficiency savings.
2. The 1994 Group represents 19 of UK's leading student-focused research-intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to promote excellence in University research and teaching.
3. In 17 major subject areas 1994 Group universities are the UK leaders achieving 1st place in their field (THE RAE subject rankings 2008). 57% of the 1994 Group's research is rated 4* 'world-leading' or 3* 'internationally excellent' (RAE 2008, HEFCE). 7 of the top 10 universities for student experience are 1994 Group Universities (2009 National Student Survey) 1994 Group members include 10 of the top 18 universities in the UK in The Guardian University Guide League Table published on the 12th May 2009.
4. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Institute of Education 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 York.