HEFCE press release
16 July 1998
HEFCE welcomes additional funding for widening opportunities for students and research
The HEFCE Board today welcomed the additional funding the Government is providing for expanding s tudent numbers and for research.
Mr Brian Fender, Chief Executive of the HEFCE, said that the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review would allow universities and colleges in England to build on this year's improved funding base, and ensure that higher education remained internationally competitive over the next three years.
Mr Fender said: 'The settlement will also increase opportunities for a wider range of students during the period. Additional funds are being provided for 35,000 extra students in higher education in the academic year 1999-2000, giving further scope for widening access.'
'We are delighted that the Government is continuing to back the dual support system for funding research. Substantial extra funding [see note 2] is being made available through both funding streams provided by the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry/Office of Science and Technology.
'We look forward to building on our good working relationships with the Research Councils to ensure that these additional resources are well spent. This extra funding will provide a very significant increase to the work we have started in modernising and upgrading research laboratories and equipment in universities and colleges.
'We look forward to receiving in the autumn further details of the Government's plans, and information on the funding allocations for 2000-01 and 2001-02.'
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment, David Blunkett wrote to the Chairman of the HEFCE, Sir Michael Checkland on 15 July giving details of higher education funding.
For further information please contact Roger Grinyer on 0117 931 7307
Notes to Editors
1. The funding package for 1999-2000, announced on 15 July 1998 by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, will provide an extra £280 million for universities, colleges and students. (This figure takes account of grants from the HEFCE and the Teacher Training Agency, and both private and public contributions to fees for full-time higher education.) This means that the efficiency saving in 1999-2000 will be no more than 1 per cent.
2. The DfEE's plans allow for a major boost for research - an extra £300 million over the next three years. The £50 million for research announced for 1999-2000 by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment is included in the £280 million mentioned above. These funds are on top of the additional investment over these three years announced by the President of the Board of Trade: £300 million each from the DTI and the Wellcome Trust for infrastructure needs, plus a further £400 million for the Research Councils to meet the current and capital costs of new project funding in priority areas.
HEFCE 6/98
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