Master of Birkbeck Professor David Latchman responds to Comprehensive Spending Review
Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, offers his thoughts on the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Commenting on the commitment of the Government to part-time study in today’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announced by Chancellor George Osborne, Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, said:
“Birkbeck welcomes the Chancellor’s recognition of part-time students in the Spending Review.
“While we wait to see the detail of the announcement, the ability to access maintenance loans for part-time study will widen participation in university education – especially people working and with families.
“Equally we welcome the confirmation of postgraduate loans for full-time and part-time students up to the age of 60.”
Birkbeck’s mission to provide university education for all means we have always successfully invested in widening access.
However, the Chancellor’s reduction to the Student Opportunity Fund – which supports students from disadvantaged background attending university – could provide even greater challenges for people wanting to enter, succeed and thrive in higher education. We will be seeking more detail on this issue.