Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Higher Education Policy Institute Demand for Higher Education to 2035, published on 22 October; and what steps they are taking to increase higher education capacity in England.

The government notes the attached report by the Higher Education Policy Institute ‘Demand for Higher Education to 2035’ published on 22 October, and the points it makes about higher education (HE) capacity in England.

This government wants our universities and other HE providers to focus relentlessly on outcomes for the individual, skills for the nation, and rigorous academic standards. Excellent outcomes are key to filling our productivity gap, fuelling our economy, and creating opportunities. It is vital that a fair and open post-16 education system offers genuine opportunity and levelling up across the entire nation, with equity between technical, vocational, and academic routes.

As part of the Post-18 Education Review, the government is carefully examining the Augar Report and its recommendations, including those that would affect capacity. We plan to respond to the Post-18 Review alongside the Spending Review.