Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of reducing tuition fees on the ability of universities in the Devolved Administrations to meet the objectives set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy and create prosperity in the UK’s nations and regions.

The government’s review of post-18 education and funding is making good progress and the independent panel will report shortly, before the government concludes the overall review later this year. As per the Terms of Reference, the review is looking at how we can best support education outcomes that deliver our Industrial Strategy ambitions, by contributing to a strong economy and delivering the skills our country needs. Higher and Further Education are devolved matters and as such the review is considering the English system only. However, we recognise the direct impact the review may have on Devolved Administrations and are engaging with the relevant governments as appropriate.