UK: MPs to hold universities inquiry

09 November 2008

MPs are to investigate some of the most controversial issues surrounding students and universities in the UK, reports BBC News. The Commons' innovation, universities and skills committee will look at issues ranging from student support to university admissions. It will also examine the balance between teaching and research, degree classifications, the extent to which plagiarism is an issue, and government participation targets and their relevance.

The announcement that the committee is to hold an inquiry came a week after the Westminster government said it would be cutting grants for students from middle income homes in England. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said poor estimates of how many students were eligible for a new package of support left it with a £200m funding shortfall. The inquiry also comes ahead of a review of student fees.
Full report on the BBC News site
Committee members are asking for evidence on the effectiveness of student support packages and the implications for current and future levels of student debt.

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