Universities UK response to funding for higher education in England for 2016-17

“We have welcomed previously the government’s protection of science funding in real terms. It is good that government continues its commitment to the dual-support system. And that block grant funding has increased from 63p for every £1 allocated to research councils, to over 65p by the end of the spending review period. It will be important for the forthcoming changes to research governance to keep the two streams of the dual-support system separate.

“We are pleased that government is continuing its commitment to Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF). This funding for knowledge exchange is vitally important to maximise universities’ impact on the economy and wider society. We also welcome the government’s continued commitment to promoting UK higher education internationally.

“The announcement means that 2016-17 will be a year of relative stability in teaching funding, and high cost subject funding (including STEM) will be protected in real terms. Universities UK will work with HEFCE to input into its review of allocating teaching funding. It will be important to ensure that the impact of changes to the health professions and student opportunity funding do not adversely impact on the sustainability of institutions.

“Universities UK established a Social Mobility Advisory Group earlier this year to provide advice to government and support for English universities to improve access and long-term success for under-represented groups in higher education. It will report its recommendations later this year, presenting them to government.”