Labour Conference 2025
from The Higher Education Show
This week on the podcast, as the dust settles on Labour conference in Liverpool, we unpack what Keir Starmer’s new higher education participation target really means – and whether universities have the capacity and funding to meet the moment. We also get into the surprise return of targeted maintenance grants – funded controversially by the levy on international student fees, and we reflect on the wider political atmosphere at the conference – from policy signals to sector perceptions, and what all this might tell us about Labour’s emerging offer and forthcoming White Paper. With Gary Hughes, Chief Executive at Durham Students’ Union, Eve Alcock, Director of Public Affairs at QAA, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and hosted by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. The PM’s announcement on higher level participation is a win for the HE sector The fifty per cent participation target is no more. Again. Grants return, the levy stays Maybe the levy just moves money to where it’s needed most The Augar review is back, baby. Just don’t about talk yourself Students are being othered again – and everyone loses out Have universities got the capacity and cash to respond to the government’s agenda? How much should the new maintenance grant be? Universities should be central to rebuilding communities Students are working harder than ever – because they have to I have a lot of questions about the LLE Who’s ready for a debate at 930am on a Sunday? The education policy trap: will the Augar review avoid the mistakes of the past?
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