Latest editorial
A general view of a graduation ceremony at University Campus Suffolk in Ipswich, October 19, 2015
LABOUR was urged to provide long-term public funding for higher education yesterday after the sector’s regulator warned that nearly three-quarters of providers could soon be in the red.
The Office for Students (OfS) said up to 72 per cent of higher education providers could fall into deficit by 2025-26.
In its report, it put a decrease in student numbers as a significant factor and estimated that British and international entrants were 10 and 23 per cent lower than sector forecasts this academic year.
Cuts are sweeping campuses as cash-strapped universities slash staff and politicians fail to act on a growing funding emergency. VINCE MILLS reports
Almost half of universities face deficits, merger mania is taking hold, and massive fee hikes that will lock out working-class students are on the horizon, write RUBEN BRETT, PAUL WHITEHOUSE and DAN GRACE