28 October - 1 November 2019

University APPG weekly update

A regular digest of House of Commons, House of Lords and higher education sector business.

For any queries, please contact:

Click on the items in the Table of Contents to go straight to the debates, answers, forthcoming business, etc.

Table of Contents

Forthcoming Business ...... 3 Dissolution of Parliament ...... 3 Oral Questions ...... 3 Home Affairs Oral Questions ...... 3 APPUG meeting on Higher Education and Brexit ...... 3 Written Questions ...... 4 Foreign students: finance ...... 4 Student Loans ...... 4 Student Loans for prisoners ...... 4 Racial Discrimination ...... 4 Funding for study abroad in Wales ...... 7 Erasmus+ and Horizon ...... 7 Brexit: UK Science industry ...... 7 EU Funding in science ...... 8 Sector News ...... 9 Office for Students Unconditional Offers report and Gavin Williamson’s Statement ...... 9 Updated concordat to support research integrity ...... 9 Office for students report on the registration process and outcomes 2019-20 ...... 9 Centre for Policy Studies report on tackling geographical inequality and spreading prosperity across the UK's regions ...... 10

Forthcoming Business

Dissolution of Parliament

The House of Commons and House of Lords will be dissolved on the Wednesday 6 November to allow for general election campaigning. The last day MPs will be sitting in Parliament will be the 5 November.

The ‘Purdah’ period will also begin therefore no major policy announcements or significant commitments can be made during the campaigning period.

The General Election will be held on the 12 December. In a statement, Boris Johnson has recommended the first meeting of new parliament take place before 23 December.

Oral Questions

On Monday 4 November, two relevant oral questions will be asked in the House of Lords.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: Recruitment by universities of EU students on courses longer than 4 years and their visa eligibility.

Lord Leigh of Hurley: Universities adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-semitism.

The session can be watched here.

Home Affairs Oral Questions

On Monday 28 October from 2:30pm, ministers from the Home Affairs department answered questions from MPs. This included questions on the EU Settlement Scheme from Jamie Stone (LD), Alex Chalk (Con), Diane Abbot (Lab).

The transcript can be read on Hansard.

APPUG meeting on Higher Education and Brexit

On the 23 October, we held our latest APPUG meeting on Higher Education and Brexit. Thank you to those who were able to join us and to our speakers Paul Blomfield, shadow DExEU secretary, Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International and Anne Corbett, Senior Lecture at LSE.

We will be in touch following the election regarding reformation of the group and upcoming meeting dates.

You can read an notes of the meeting here.

Written Questions

Foreign students: finance

Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to provide funding for study abroad programs from 2020 in the event that UK students do not have access to Erasmus+ in time for the 2020-21 academic year. [2910]

Chris Skidmore (Kingswood): The government places great value upon international exchange and collaboration in education and training. This will continue to be the case after we leave the EU and establish new relationships with academic institutions across Europe and the rest of the world.

If it is in the UK’s interests, we will seek to participate in some specific EU programmes as a third country. The draft Political Declaration envisages the possibility of UK participation in EU programmes like Erasmus+ and the negotiation of general terms of participation. My officials are preparing for all eventualities and are considering a wide range of options with regard to the future of international exchange. These include potential domestic alternatives to the Erasmus+ programme for the 2020/21 academic year and beyond, should we need them.

Student Loans

Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total interest paid on student loans was in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [6320]

Chris Skidmore (Kingswood): The Student Loans Company does not distinguish between capital and interest when allocating repayments to a student’s account. It is not possible therefore to identify separately the total interest repaid.

Student Loans for prisoners

Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of extending student loan eligibility to people in prison who have more than six years to run on their sentence. [4940]

Chris Skidmore (Kingswood): Prisoners set to be released within 6 years have been eligible for tuition fee loans with the consent of the prison authorities. There are no plans to change this policy.

Racial Discrimination

Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that universities investigate all complaints made by students and staff about racism at universities. [4262]

Chris Skidmore (Kingswood): Racial harassment is unacceptable and we cannot tolerate staff and students being victims of it at our world-leading universities. There is no place in our society - including within higher education (HE) – for hatred or any form of harassment, discrimination or racism. Universities have clear responsibilities in this regard.

HE providers in England are independent and autonomous. They are responsible for addressing student complaints and for meeting their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. The government expects providers to discharge their responsibilities fully and have robust policies and procedures in place to handle student complaints, comply with the law and to investigate and swiftly address incidents reported to them.

Where a student complaint cannot be resolved through the institution’s complaint processes, the student can ask for their complaint to be reviewed by the Office for the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for HE in England. As a result of the government‘s recent HE reforms, all HE providers on the HE Regulator’s register, the Office for Students (OfS), are required to join the OIA.

The government will continue to work closely with partners, including Universities UK and the OfS, to drive progress on matters of racial harassment in HE.

Racial Discrimination Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 's report entitled, Tackling harassment: universities challenged; and what steps he is taking to ensure that university staff receive adequate training to deal effectively with racial harassment . [4286]

As independent institutions, HE providers are responsible for training and development opportunities available for their staff. We encourage providers to make use of tools such as the Race Equality Charter and the Race at Work Charter to identify and address institutional and cultural barriers that affect minority ethnic staff and students.

We will continue to work closely with partners, including Universities UK and the Office for Students on matters of harassment and hate crime in HE.

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers recognises the need to create and develop positive environments and cultures in which all researchers can flourish and achieve their full potential. This includes having effective policies and practice for tackling discrimination, bullying and harassment and providing appropriate support for those reporting issues.

By improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff within HE we can ensure that everyone who has the potential to thrive at university, both as a student and as a member of staff, does so.

Racial Discrimination

Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to protect university staff from racial abuse. [4255]

Chris Skidmore (Kingswood): Racial harassment is unacceptable, and we cannot tolerate staff and students being victims of it at our world-leading universities. There is no place in our society - including within higher education – for hatred or any form of harassment, discrimination or racism. Universities have clear responsibilities in this regard.

Higher education providers are independent and autonomous organisations. Like all employers, higher education providers have responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010) in relation to their staff. We expect them discharge their responsibilities fully and have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law, and to investigate and swiftly address all hate crime.

We encourage providers to make use of tools such as the Race Equality Charter and the Race at Work Charter to identify and address institutional and cultural barriers that affect minority ethnic staff and students.

By improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff within higher education we can ensure that everyone who has the potential to thrive at university, both as a student and as a member of staff, does so.

Racial Harassment

Lord Taylor Of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Universities UK about the steps it is taking to reduce racial abuse on campuses. [HL370]

Baroness Berridge: Racial harassment is unacceptable and we cannot tolerate staff and students being victims of it at our world-leading universities.

Higher education providers have clear responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and should discharge their responsibilities fully and have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law, to investigate and swiftly address incidents reported to them.

The government will continue to work closely with partners, including Universities UK (UUK) and the Office for Students (OfS), to drive progress on matters of racial harassment and hatred in higher education. Department for Education officials meet with UUK and OfS at least quarterly to discuss progress on this area, drive momentum and communicate the government’s priorities.

Racial Harassment

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they will make in response to the report of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Tackling Racial Harassment: Universities Challenged, published on 23 October. [HL347]

Baroness Berridge: Racial harassment is unacceptable and we cannot tolerate staff and students being victims of it at our world-leading universities.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) inquiry has made an important contribution to our knowledge of the extent of racism in higher education. The government will look closely at EHRC ’s recommendations. Although some progress has been made, it is clear there is still more to do. Universities have clear responsibilities in this regard and I expect them to take these seriously.

Funding for study abroad in Wales

Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) current level of funding available for study abroad programmes and (b) level of funding for study abroad programmes available post 2020 for students in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [3682]

Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan): As education is devolved, the UK Government does not hold figures on the current levels of funding for study abroad programmes in Wales.

The UK Government values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as part of our vision for a global Britain. That is why we support a number of outward mobility and exchange programmes which broaden access to international opportunities – schemes such as Fulbright scholarships and Generation UK China. We can expect our world-leading HE providers to continue their strong track record of partnering with overseas institutions post-202

Erasmus+ and Horizon

Lord Bassam Of Brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to commit to funding (1) the Erasmus+, and (2) the Horizon research, programme beyond 2020. [HL238]

Baroness Berridge: The government places great value upon international exchange and collaboration in education and training. It is also committed to continuing to back UK researchers and innovators by supporting measures to enable world-class collaborative research and innovation. This will continue to be the case after we leave the EU and establish new relationships with institutions across Europe and the rest of the world.

If it is in the UK’s interests, we will seek to participate in some specific EU programmes as a third country. While the regulations for future EU programmes are still in the process of being developed, the draft Political Declaration envisages the possibility of UK participation in EU programmes like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe post-2020. Officials are preparing for all eventualities and are considering a wide range of options with regard to the future of international exchange and cooperation in education and research.

Brexit: UK Science industry

Lord Taylor Of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of uncertainty regarding Brexit on the UK science industry. [HL165]

Lord Duncan Of Springbank: The Government is committed to making the UK a global science superpower and a magnet for brilliant people and businesses from across the world - building on our position of existing global excellence. That is why we have affirmed our commitment to increasing R&D investment to at least 2.4% of GDP and will be setting out plans to reach this later this Autumn, providing long-term certainty to the scientific community. We have also recently announced that we intend to launch a comprehensive UK Space Strategy, introduce a fast-track immigration scheme for top scientists and researchers and develop proposals for a new funding agency.

The Government has committed to guarantee funding for all successful eligible UK bids to Horizon 2020 that are submitted before the end of 2020, for the lifetime of projects. We have also guaranteed funding for participation in all Horizon 2020 projects open to third countries after exit, which are collaborative projects. The Science Minister has written to his counterparts across the EU to set this out.

In a no deal Exit scenario, the guarantee would cover funding for all successful competitive UK bids to Horizon 2020 submitted before the UK leaves the EU, even if they are notified of their success after exit. The guarantee would apply for the lifetime of projects. Again, in a no deal scenario, the extension to the guarantee would cover funding for all successful competitive UK bids to Horizon 2020 calls open to third country participants submitted from the date of exit until the end of 2020. Like the guarantee, the extension would apply for the lifetime of projects.

In addition to the Government’s no deal guarantee and extension funding commitments, we have committed to ensuring that all UK bids to mono-beneficiary ERC, MSCA and SMEi (now known as European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator) calls that are submitted to Horizon 2020 before Exit are evaluated in all scenarios. This means researchers and innovators can continue to submit proposals to Horizon 2020 with confidence, right up to the point of exit, knowing that the best proposals will be funded – regardless of how we leave the EU.

EU Funding in science

Lord Watson Of Richmond: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Royal Society that British science has lost approximately €500 million in EU funding as a result of uncertainty around Brexit. [HL173]

Lord Duncan Of Springbank: The Government has committed to guarantee funding for all successful eligible UK bids to Horizon 2020 that are submitted before the end of 2020, for the lifetime of projects. We have also guaranteed funding for participation in all Horizon 2020 projects open to third countries after exit, which are collaborative projects. The Science Minister has written to his counterparts across the EU to set this out.

UK researchers and innovators have continued to be successful in securing European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding, with the UK consistently ranking first in both areas since the beginning of Horizon 2020 in 2014.

In addition, the Government has committed to ensuring that all UK bids to mono- beneficiary ERC, MSCA and SMEi (now known as European Innovation Council Accelerator) calls that are submitted to Horizon 2020 before Exit are evaluated in all scenarios. This means researchers and innovators can continue to submit proposals to Horizon 2020 with

confidence, right up to the point of exit, knowing that the best proposals will be funded – regardless of how we leave the EU.

Looking ahead, we have also affirmed our commitment to increasing R&D investment to at least 2.4% of GDP and will be setting our plans to reach this later this Autumn, providing long-term certainty to the scientific community. Additionally, the Government remains committed to ensuring that world leading talent is attracted to and retained within the UK. On 8 August, the Prime Minister announced a new fast-track immigration scheme aimed at enabling a wider pool of scientific talent to come to the UK. This scheme will ensure that those with specialist skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects can come to the UK and make an important contribution to our leading science and research sectors, significantly enhancing the intellectual and knowledge base of the UK.

Sector News

Office for Students Unconditional Offers report and Gavin Williamson’s Statement

On Wednesday 30 October, the Office for Students published an update to data analysis of unconditional offers. The report shows that the dropout rate in 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years was 10% higher for students who accepted unconditional offers than those who had accepted conditional offers.

The Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, made a statement on the report, “I have already expressed my deep concerns about the continuing rise of unconditional offers, but what is equally alarming is that dropout rates for students with unconditional offers are estimated to be 10% higher than if they had a conditional offer.”

Read the report here.

Updated concordat to support research integrity

Following an inquiry led by Science and Technology Select Committee that identified challenges with the initial concordat to support research intensity in 2012, Universities UK, UK Research and Innovation and Wellcome Trust have signed a revised concordat that responds to those challenges and reaffirms pledge to support research integrity. The commitments within the concordat call on universities, research institutes and individual researchers to ensure their work is underpinned by rigorous high standards.

Read the concordat here.

Office for students report on the registration process and outcomes 2019-20

On Thursday 31 October, the Office for Students published a report that provides analysis of their registration process, a year into its operation. The report outlines that, at the point of registration, 18 providers received specific conditions of registration that required action, 252 providers were subject to enhanced monitoring and 297 received a letter directing their attention to areas of concern.

Read the report here.

Centre for Policy Studies report on tackling geographical inequality and spreading prosperity across the UK's regions

The Centre for Policy Studies, a conservative think tank, published a report on Tuesday 29 October which highlighted the need to ‘spread graduate provision’. The report called for universities and the Office for Students to do more to encourage students to stay in the geographical area around the university after they graduate.

Read the report here.