It was interesting to see a planned Opposition Day debate on access to higher education cancelled today. This could simply be recognition from the Conservative whips that higher education has taken up an unreasonable amount of Parliamentary time in recent weeks. However, it may also provide some answers to questions about the likely direction of legislation post general election, should the Conservatives form the next Government.
Schools reform is clearly a key ambition of the Conservatives, with Michael Gove promising an Education Bill within weeks of a Conservative Government coming to power. In recent weeks the printed press has extensively covered Conservative proposals, from top performing schools being exempt from Ofsted inspections to the extension of the Government’s academies programme. Although much of the policy behind any Education Bill will be in place before the general election, the Conservatives will still need to dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s to have a Bill in place. In addition, a number of likely proposals, including the development of Swedish style ‘free schools’ are likely to come under serious, sustained attack from large sections of the House. If a Conservative majority government is minimal, passing this legislation could be tricky and time consuming.
The real loser in all of this could be higher education. With the squeeze on public spending hitting universities hard, most are crying out for alternative funding sources. The Government commissioned Browne review is looking at just such possibilities. If, as expected, it calls for a rise in tuition fees, this would ostensibly benefit universities, particularly as the Conservatives are expected to support such a recommendation. However, such a comprehensive report as the Browne review will almost certainly require primary legislation. With a Conservative focus on schools reform, what time does this leave for the development of such legislation?
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