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Here are the details on the DfE's "restructuring regime" for universities needing emergency financial support - in the form of a "repayable loan" with many conditions attached. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/900917/Higher_education_restructuring_regime.pdf
The first condition of the "restructuring regime" will require that universities orient themselves to STEM, nursing and teaching courses. There's also a ref to showing commitment to academic freedom and free speech.
In next par after start of list of conditions for "restructuring regime": "The funding of student unions should be proportionate and focused on serving the needs
of the wider student population rather than subsidising niche activism and campaigns."
of the wider student population rather than subsidising niche activism and campaigns."
It's clear this document is also a wider strategy paper mapping out what govt wants from all universities: "The principles set out in the Restructuring Regime represent a sound set of principles for all higher education providers." And confirms Augar response at spending review.
Important caveat in the "restructuring regime": loan only given where there is "a clear economic and value for money case for intervention: not all providers will be prevented from exiting the market."
There is to be a Higher Education Restructuring Regime Board "composed of external experts", on whose expertise the education secretary "will draw" before making a decision on whether to offer the emergency loan.
Glancing ref to Office for Students, the English HE regulator, but document spells out that the restructuring regime is "led by the DfE". Will raise lots of concerns about university autonomy, of course.
This par, encouraging mergers for some universities, including with FE colleges, is a big one as @DrDavidRundle just pointed out.
Overall, this is govt using conditions for emergency loan to drive host of changes it wants in unis - on shift to STEM courses, mergers incl with FE colleges, "free speech", against "niche activism" in student unions. And to drive them in all unis, not just any getting loan.
