Westminster Weekly: 11 – 18 April 2008

1. Government launches consultation on links between business and universities

Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell, launched a national discussion on proposals to build stronger links between businesses and universities on Monday 14 April, asserting that Britain needed a greater number of highly educated people in the workforce if it was to retain its position as a 'key knowledge economy'. The consultation will look at ways in which business, trade unions and employers can work together to encourage demand for high-level skills, as well as incentives to encourage universities to respond better to employer demand and how employers could become more involved in providing careers information and advice.

NUS Vice President for Education (and President-elect) Wes Streeting said: "We are pleased that the Government is consulting students on this issue. Equipping students with the skills they will need as graduates is vital, so long as we remember that higher education is not just about skills - it is also about gaining an education. A careful balance needs to be struck if we're to avoid reducing the role of universities to simply becoming 'graduate factories' for businesses.

"We also welcome the Government's plan to increase the number of people with higher level qualifications. A key focus for NUS will be to ensure that work based learners in our membership are receiving the same high quality experience as those following more traditional routes."

2. NUS responds to Select Committee Inquiry on the Leitch Review

The National Union of Students has now made a written submission to the Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee’s inquiry ‘After Leitch’.

3. New data reveals Income of UK Higher Education sector tops £20 billion

Data from the newly released HESA HE Finance Plus 2006/07 publication on Friday 11 April showed that the total income of UK higher education institutions exceeded £21.2 billion for the first time. Income for the sector rose 9.0% from the 2005/06 total of £19.5 billion. Total expenditure in the sector saw a similar level of increase, rising 8.8% from £19.4 billion to £21.0 billion.

4. Coming Up

Parliament will today (Monday) reconvene following Easter Recess.

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, will today begin a visit to the US. He will be visiting Washington, North Carolina and Boston and his tour will continue until 25 April.

The inaugural meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Old and Young Together: Intergenerational Futures will take place on 24 April 2008.

The NUT and the Public and Commercial Services Union will on Thursday 24 April hold a one day strike by teachers and civil servants.