Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to invite representatives of the National Union of Students and the University and College Union to join the taskforce on university capacity; and if so, when they plan to issue such invitations.

The taskforce was established with the aim of taking quick decisions on the higher education (HE) admissions and acceptance process to ensure that students had the support and clarity they deserved at a time of change and uncertainty. We therefore prioritised bringing together the representatives of the sector best placed to make quick decisions, including the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service and a wide range of university mission groups representing the Vice Chancellors of a broad range of HE providers.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, we have engaged with the National Union of Students and the University and College Union at an official and ministerial level in order to ensure the government understands and is able to respond to issues currently affecting students and staff. We plan to continue this engagement as students and staff return to universities over the coming weeks.