The UK sector broadly welcomed the election result this morning, which saw the Labour party take a staggering 411 seat majority at the time of writing.
Sector leaders were hopeful that the change in administration would lead to a more constructive relationship between education providers and the government, after increasing hostility from the Conservative government.
Stuart Smith, CEO of NCUK, a leading global in-country pathway provider, told The PIE News: “NCUK offers its congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer and the new UK government.
“Universities are well-placed to support Labour’s goal of growing the economy and widening opportunity for all, and we hope this change in leadership will lead to a more constructive relationship between the sector and government, helping to strengthen the UK’s position as an attractive and welcoming study destination for international students.”
London Higher, which represents higher education providers in the UK capital, congratulated Starmer on his election victory, with CEO Diana Beech welcoming the opportunity to work with new ministers and the 75 MPs for London to “put London’s higher education and research sector front and centre of the drive for opportunity and growth – both in London and across the nation”.
The organisation’s head of policy Mark Corbett was positive about the result – although he cautioned that more clarity was needed around Labour’s policies.
“With the political parties in Westminster and City Hall now aligned, we can be forgiven for being optimistic that greater policy alignment and consistency will be the backdrop to a more constructive relationship between the sector and government, both nationally and regionally,” he said.
“Although more policy clarity is needed, particularly around financial sustainability and regulation, we are in a strong position to support Labour’s goal of growing the economy and widening economic opportunity. The commitment to 10-year funding cycles for research institutions is particularly welcome. It would be great to see some assurance that includes funding allocated to UKRI.”
“We’re waking up in the UK today to the prospect of a very different kind of government. There are promising signs of a more collaborative approach to working with the higher education sector under the new Labour administration,” Vicky Lewis of Vicky Lewis Consulting, which offers international strategy services to higher education institutes, wrote on LinkedIn.
“At the same time, we know that – as a sector and in our individual institutions – we need to evolve our own approach to working with government. We must actively demonstrate how universities can play a central role in helping to tackle the many pressing challenges that lie ahead – both at home and on the global stage,” she continued.
My hope now is that Labour, which has always supported international students, will move away from some of the more negative policies and stereotypes of recent years
Ruth Arnold, Study Group
“We are delighted that the vital combination of university level study and post-study work is set to continue under Labour, which has made clear it sees the country’s great universities and their international communities as central to its ambitions to rejuvenate economic growth.
“Bridget Phillipson has hailed the ‘major contribution’ made by international students and talented young people from around the world will be able to choose the U.K. confident of welcome and opportunity, and we hope a period of greater certainty and stability about the policy environment that affects them, said Study Group chief executive Ian Crichton.
“Across the world, political debates around immigration have begun to impact on international students and in particular their ability to undertake the kind of post-study work which is essential to many if they are to make this major investment in their futures,” added Study Group’s director of external affairs Ruth Arnold.
“Over the last decade, that has been extremely challenging in the UK as international students have been caught up in an argument about far more than them, despite making such a profound contribution to our higher education sector, economies and lives.
“My hope now is that Labour, which has always supported international students, will move away from some of the more negative policies and stereotypes of recent years and embrace the extraordinary good that is international education for the benefit of the country and the wider world.”
Bridget Philipson, who has become the education secretary following Labour’s win, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “the people of Britain have voted for change and for the leadership of Keir Starmer”.
“Our country with its proud history has chosen a brighter future,” she said.
Meanwhile, HEPI director Nick Hillman noted that Labour’s share of the vote in large student seats was markedly low.
After 14 years in power, the Conservative party lost several high profile MPs last night, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, erstwhile prime minister Liz Truss and one-time party leader hopeful Penny Mordaunt.
Another prominent Tory casualty was former universities minister Michelle Donelan, losing out to Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Mathew in the Melksham and Devizes constituency.
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