Universities UK has responded to details released today by David Willetts on the Conservatives’ pledge to provide an extra 10,000 university places next year.

Professor Steve Smith, President of Universities UK, said: “Today’s announcement recognises the essential role of universities in securing the UK’s economic recovery. UUK is encouraged to see this commitment of additional resources to higher education at a crucial time. It is only by investing in properly funded university places for our students that we can produce graduates with the necessary higher level skills that are so essential for the UK’s short term recovery and longer term prosperity. The announcement is consistent with UUK’s long-held view that expansion of higher education must be fully-funded if quality and opportunity are to be maintained.

“If the Conservative party wins the next election, their commitment to funding both teaching and student support costs would mean that more students could benefit from quality higher education places next summer. This commitment to higher education is extremely encouraging at a time of competing pressures on the public purse in a period of economic austerity. It confirms the importance of higher education in a downturn.

“We look forward to discussing with the Conservative Party how we can ensure that their proposals do not disadvantage students from lower income backgrounds. Increased student numbers must not come at the price of reduced social mobility. If the scheme were to be implemented, I hope that the resources that would be generated  by those fortunate enough to be able to repay loans in a lump sum and thus get a discount will help many more people from less well off backgrounds to transform their lives by benefiting from university education. We believe that the right balance can be struck here, given careful analysis.

“As I explained at UUK’s annual conference, Universities UK supports policies that represent investment in all that higher education has to offer. Such investment will ensure that universities continue to play their unique role in delivering the higher-level skills essential for the future prosperity of the UK. The UK’s future depends on a flourishing knowledge economy, and more than ever before that can only be achieved by a successful university sector.”