Debbie McVitty

Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor at Harper Adams University, shares insights on the new university funding model shaped by Budget 2025. Debbie McVitty discusses the impacts of the proposed international student levy and maintenance grants. David Kernohan highlights the challenges of frozen loan thresholds and the risks of funding concentration in larger institutions. The panel dives into Scotland’s Tertiary Education Bill and its implications for cross-subsidy and institutional costs, revealing a landscape of both opportunity and caution for higher education.

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive at Universities UK, Jonathan Simons, Partner at Public First, and Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, dive into critical issues in higher education. They discuss the University of Sussex's hefty fine for free speech violations and the complexities surrounding academic freedom. The conversation then shifts to the controversial rise of franchising in education, exploring its potential pitfalls and the urgent need for reform. Insights reveal how these challenges impact student welfare and institutional accountability in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive at Universities UK, Aaron Porter, Chair of BPP University, and Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, delve into the future of education in the UK. They discuss Labour's forthcoming Skills England bill and its implications for higher education. The trio examines recent challenges in regulating international student recruitment and the significance of free speech on campuses. They also highlight key points from the King's Speech, emphasizing necessary legislative shifts and collaborative efforts in adapting to the evolving labor market.