CONCERN AT PROPOSALS FOR A CAP ON ENGLISH STUDENTS
THE UK Government plans to control numbers of students from England coming to university in Wales in response to the coronavirus. Whitehall is expected to announce a cap on numbers next week in response to fears over competition for UK students in the face of falling recruits from overseas as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams has written to the UK’s Minister of State for Universities expressing “deep concern” over plans to announce the UK Government’s intention to introduce temporary student number controls in response to the pandemic.
It is unclear how a cap would be implemented, but the Department for Education in England released a statement saying: “We will shortly be setting out further details on how the student number controls will be implemented, including how they will work in the devolved administrations.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said it was not up to England to tell Wales how to work out student numbers.
In a strongly-worded letter sent to Michelle Donelan, Ms Williams said she is “disappointed that the UK Government proposes to introduce student number controls in respect of English domiciled students attending Welsh institutions” adding that the approach is “not in the best interests of the UK as a whole”.
Her letter goes on: “I am deeply concerned that you have chosen to place e a control on Welsh institutions rather than work with the Welsh lsh Government to achieve a solution that is compatible ible with devolution. I do o not believe this approach ch in the best interests s of the UK as a whole, and demonstrates a surprising unwillingness ngness to respect complementary policies licies in each nation.”
It is understood that similar caps are e being placed on student ent numbers ers from Engngl and d going to o university in Scotland and Northern Ireland and that a strong letter is also being sent tonight from the Scottish government.
Usually each UK nation works out its own controls for UK, EU and international students and there is fury that England is now setting out what students Wales and other devolved nations should do.
Universities Wales said it was “deeply concerned about the announcement”.
A spokeswoman said: “HEFCW is currently consulting with the Welsh sector on an approach to admissions in Wales to maintain stability, in line with the fournation approach that had been proposed.
“The foremost priority, at this time of uncertainty, should be that those students who wish to access higher education this autumn are able to do so.”
A Department for Education in England said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for universities and their students, which is why we announced a package of support, including student number controls, to bring stability to the higher education sector and protect students and providers from the impact of coronavirus.
“We want everyone who achieves their entry requirements to be able to go to university, and these measures are a vital part of ensuring th this, while avoiding harm harmful overrecruitment among providers which could go against a the interests of both students and universities.
“We will w shortly be setting settin out further details d on how the th student numbe number controls will be b impleme men ted , in including ho how they wi will work in t h e devolved administr trations.”