The Dorset Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), led by Dorset Chamber, identified specific skills needs across the following key sectors: health and social care, advanced manufacturing and engineering, defence and marine; construction; digital technology and creative; agriculture, agricultural biotechnology and aquaculture. It also identified cross-cutting skills needed by employers in all sectors of the local economy.

Higher education providers in the area are engaging in the LSIP process and responding to the area’s identified needs in a number of ways, including by establishing new provision. As set out in the recently published LSIP Progress Report, Bournemouth University is creating five new degree apprenticeships in identified skills needs in digital marketing, accounting finance management, biomedical science, social work and midwifery to begin in September 2025. The Health Sciences University is developing four new level six apprenticeships in the areas of diagnostic radiographer, occupational therapist, podiatrist and speech and language therapist.

The government wants higher education providers across the country to be fully engaged in the LSIP process and in meeting local skills needs. The updated LSIP statutory guidance, which is due for publication this autumn, will encourage designated employer representative bodies leading LSIPs to work closely with the higher education providers in their area to agree the different ways in which they can engage and support the development of the LSIP and delivery of the priorities identified within it.

The department recognises that some higher education (HE) providers are making difficult decisions around staffing in order to safeguard their financial sustainability. Ultimately the sector is independent from government and as such must continue to make the necessary and appropriate financial decisions to ensure their long-term sustainability.

However, we expect providers to work with staff, using their knowledge and experience to help identify how best to operate efficiently. All efficiency measures taken by the sector should provide a better long-term future for students, staff and the country.

The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in HE. This includes funding to support teaching of expensive-to-deliver subjects such as science and engineering, access and participation of students from under-represented groups, and world-leading specialist providers.  The total SPG for the 2025/26 financial year will be £1.348 million in recurrent programme grant and £84 million for capital to support teaching and learning.

This government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK. The government expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination. We have a world class higher education (HE) sector with four universities in the top 10 and 15 in the top 100, alongside a wide array of high quality institutions which can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

The department recognises that the Office for Students (OfS), which is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the financial sustainability of English HE providers, has identified reliance on international student fee income as a risk. In its most recent update on the sector’s financial health, published in November 2024, the OfS found that international recruitment is significantly below the sector’s previous expectations. While we agree with the OfS’ assessment that more providers will need to adapt their business models to protect their financial stability, we are clear that high quality international students are welcome in the UK.

While the sector is autonomous and independent, the government is determined to secure the future of our world leading HE sector. That is why we have taken decisive action to support providers in moving towards a more stable financial footing.

In March, Professor Edward Peck was appointed as substantive Chair of the OfS. Professor Peck will continue the excellent work of interim Chair, Sir David Behan, focusing on the sector’s financial sustainability and increasing opportunities in HE. The department continues to work closely with the OfS in order to better understand the sector’s changing financial landscape.

Moreover, in November, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in line with forecast inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535. In return for the increased investment we are asking students to make, we expect the sector to deliver the very best outcomes, both for those students and for the country.

The government also recognises the impact that financial pressures are having on the HE workforce. We are aware that some providers, including Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth, are making difficult decisions around staffing in order to safeguard their financial sustainability. Given universities are independent, they are responsible for pay and provision of staff and the government does not have a role in intervening. However, we expect providers to work with staff, using their knowledge and experience to help identify how best to reduce unnecessary spend. All efficiency measures taken by the sector should provide better long term value both for students and the country.

This government is determined to build a HE system fit for the future. Ministers and departmental officials remain dedicated to engaging with the OfS, HE unions, the employer body and the wider sector. Regular discussions are being held to gain a deeper understanding of the issues impacting HE providers, students, and staff. This collaborative effort will contribute to the development of the department’s plan for HE reform, which we will publish in the summer.