EPNE CEO gives evidence on higher education fee reforms

Education Partnership North East CEO, Ellen Thinnesen, joined Alun Francis CEO of Oldham College and Liz Bromley CEO of NCG, to give evidence to the Public Bill Committee in Westminster who are today examining the details of The Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill. 

Part of the Governments’ reforms to post 18 education and training, The Bill has been introduced in parliament, to allow for the Government’s Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) to be rolled out from 2025 which will offer people a loan worth £37,000 in today’s tuition fees. The LLE will be used flexibly over a person’s working lives to pay for short courses, modules or full courses, whether at college or at university. 

As further education colleges play a critical role in the delivery of post-18 technical education and training, including technical higher education, the voice of the further education sector was important in today’s committee meeting.  

Ellen said: “Getting the finer details of this Bill right and ensuring a well-considered approach to implementation across the system could be truly transformational for post-18 education and skills. 

“However, it’s vitally important the complexity of change required is fully understood beyond for example, Student Finance and Universities. Today was a welcome opportunity to flag some of these with committee members and I know the Association of Colleges will also continue to represent the sectors views too.” 

The Bill will progress through Parliament before being made into law.