'Changes to HE funding should not affect science and engineering' - Bowles

2.45.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Jun 2010

Sharon discussed funding issues with the Vice-Chancellor of Reading University

Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has warned that proposed changes to higher education funding should not negatively impact on the teaching of science and engineering in UK universities.

The previous government made significant changes to higher education funding by introducing 'top-up-fees' in 2006, a measure that remains a point of contention with many students.

The current review into university funding, chaired by Lord Browne, is expected to lift the cap on 'top-up-fees', currently at £3,225 per year, a move that would allow universities to charge students more for tuition.

Speaking in Oxford this week the Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts, said that higher education had been left in a 'mess' by the previous government and that £700million of savings needed to be made.

Sharon Bowles said:

"I agree with Mr Willetts that university funding is in a state of crisis and that the UK's top universities risk falling behind the rest of the world unless a more long-term approach to funding is implemented.

"Lifting the cap on top-up-fees will land more students in debt and could discourage people from going to university altogether. However, we must guard against academic decline, which means either students pay more or universities face cuts.

"In either case I hope that science and engineering courses, which are vital to economic wellbeing and recovery, are not victims of a funding tourniquet just because laboratories cost more than libraries. It is imperative that key professions for the economy are recognised as an important factor when discussing long-term changes to higher education funding."

ENDS