Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Baker of Dorking (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 21 January 2010.

Universities: STEM Subjects

Question: My Lords, is the Minister aware that the number of applications by young people to go to universities this year is already 12 per cent higher than last year? Few of those extra people will go to universities. Every vice-chancellor now agrees that there will be a fall in numbers as a result of his cuts. Sarkozy increases higher education expenditure, Mandelson cuts it. How does he reconcile that with the theme of the election, which is investment in the future, and hope and aspiration for the young?

Answer: My Lords, this is pure hyperbole. In reality, the savings that we have set out amount to a reduction of under 5 per cent over the next three years. The Government have made it clear that higher education needs to shoulder its fair share of the burden of reductions in public spending-but not more than its fair share. I will make sure that that remains the case.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 716 c1101
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Finance Higher education Engineering Universities Technology Science Mathematics
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk