David Willetts: Conservatives Must See Higher Education as It Is, Not How They Fear It Might Be

David Willetts: Conservatives must see higher education as it is, not how they fear it might be

David Willetts was Minister for Universities and Science 2010-2014. His book A University Education is published by OUP.  The Government’s White Paper on Skills is a good moment to assess where the Parties are on universities and apprenticeships The UK has slightly above average Higher Education participation – 50 per cent of  young people under the age of 25. Higher education is paid for more by graduates (about ¾) and less by taxpayers (about …

Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper: Positive Intent and Ambition, but Questions Remain

Energy & Utility Skills Group welcomes the publication of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper as a positive and necessary step in strengthening the nation’s skills system. It sets out ambition and intent, but questions remain about how delivery, coherence and pace will match the scale of the opportunity. While the White Paper applies directly to England, its implications extend across all four nations through shared ambitions for the en…

First Reactions to Post-16 Skills White Paper

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Skills, Careers & Employment First Reactions to Post-16 Skills White Paper 21 October 2025 15:30 - 16:45 Lauren Edwards MP, co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Skills, Careers and Employment, is chairing a short online discussion to share initial reactions to the publication of the Post-16 White Paper.The paper marks a potentially significant milestone in the government's skills agenda and we will …

Response to the Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper - London Higher

Commenting on the Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, London Higher’s Chief Executive Liz Hutchinson said:  “We welcome the ambitions set out in the White Paper and its commitment to build on the strengths of the UK’s world-renowned higher education sector. London’s universities and specialist institutions are central to that global reputation for excellence – from outstanding teaching and student support, to world-class resea…

Government’s Post-16 Skills White Paper marks ‘landmark moment’ for further education

The Bedford College Group, with colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, has welcomed the Government’s newly published Post-16 Skills White Paper as a transformative milestone in the journey towards a world-leading skills system.

NCUB Responds To Post-16 White Paper

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) has welcomed the Government’s commitment in today’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper to create a more coherent, connected and collaborative tertiary system, but warned that tuition fee proposals alone are not bold enough to fix a broken university funding system.