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<p>The government recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak will have an unparalleled
impact on all elements of the global and UK economy. The higher education sector,
including student recruitment, is no exception. We have been working closely with
the sector, including specialist providers, to monitor the likely impacts of COVID-19
on student numbers in 2020-21. We understand the COVID-19 outbreak and a possible
reduction in overall student numbers poses significant challenges.</p><p>In response
to this and calls from the sector, on 4 May, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of
State for Education, announced a package of measures to stabilise university admissions
this autumn and ensure sustainability in higher education at a time of unprecedented
uncertainty.</p><p>Temporary student number controls will be put in place for domestic
and EU students for the academic year 2020/21 to ensure a fair, structured distribution
of students across providers. Provider-level student number controls will be determined
based on provider forecasts and allow for 5% growth above this. My right hon. Friend,
the Secretary of State for Education, will also have the discretion to allocate an
additional 10,000 places on top of the controls, of which 5,000 will be allocated
to students studying nursing or allied health courses, to ensure growing numbers that
will support our vital public services. This measure will only apply to full-time
undergraduate UK/EU domiciled students, with certain specified exemptions. These controls
will not apply to international (non-EU) students.</p><p>The Office for Students (OfS),
the regulator in England, has also consulted on a new temporary condition of registration.
The OfS’ proposed condition would prohibit registered providers from engaging in any
form of conduct which, in the opinion of the OfS, could reasonably have a material
negative effect on the stability and/or integrity of the English higher education
sector.</p><p>The government has also pulled forward tuition fee payments, expected
to be worth £2.6 billion, for providers so that they receive more cash in the first
term of academic year 2020/21, announced £100 million of public funding will be brought
forward to the current academic year to help protect vital university research activities
in England and confirmed providers are eligible to apply for the government financial
support schemes estimated by the OfS to be worth at least £700 million to the sector.</p><p>Universities
have an integral part to play in our economy, society and culture, which is highlighted
now more than ever through their leading role in the fight against the virus. That
is why we are introducing a package of measures to boost support for students, stabilise
the admissions system and ease the pressures on universities’ finances.</p><p>I have
written to all hon. Members with full details of the package, which have also been
published on GOV.UK: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students</a>.</p><p>On
Friday 5 June, the department announced Sir Steve Smith as the International Education
Champion, a key deliverable of the 2019 International Education Strategy. Sir Steve
will assist with opening up export growth opportunities for the whole UK education
sector, tackling international challenges such as those posed to attracting international
students and forging lasting global connections.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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