Parliamentary briefings and submissions

We produce parliamentary briefings on a range of subjects based on the current legislative programme, our policy priorities and campaigns.

These include briefings on immigration and freedom of speech.

Briefing: Implementation of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017

Briefing
9 June 2017
Parliament and government Regulation of higher education
The legislation is primarily concerned with the creation of two new bodies to regulate and fund higher education providers: the Office for Students (OfS) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
UUK/GuildHE letter on HE bill

Joint UUK and GuildHE letter: Higher Education and Research Bill

26 April 2017
Parliament and government
​A letter from Universities UK and GuildHE to MPs and peers as the Higher Education and Research Bill reaches the final parliamentary stages.
Industrial strategy regional briefings

The industrial strategy and universities: regional briefings

18 April 2017
Funding Innovation, growth and skills Parliament and government
At the local and regional level, universities support growth by providing and creating jobs, and leading on local economic and social issues.

Response to 'Building our industrial strategy: green paper, January 2017'

Consultations and responses
18 April 2017
Funding Parliament and government
The UK’s universities have a central role to play in the development of the government’s modern industrial strategy, and are essential to the UK’s productivity performance and long-term economic growth.
HERB – Lords second reading

Parliamentary briefing: Lords Amendment 156 to the Higher Education and Research Bill

Briefing
7 April 2017
Immigration International Parliament and government
Our briefing for MPs ahead of the Higher Education and Research Bill returning to the House of Commons for the consideration of Lords amendments, focusing on Amendment 156 regarding international students and staff.
Consultation response front cover

Response to the UK funding councils consultation on the second Research Excellence Framework

Consultations and responses
23 March 2017
Parliament and government Research policy
We welcome the recognition by the funders that the Research Excellence Framework's (REF) primary focus is identifying research excellence, and is not intended to become an audit of all research produced in UK universities.
HERB – Lords second reading

Parliamentary briefing: Ensuring sufficiency of supply in trainee teachers in England

Briefing
20 March 2017
Parliament and government Professional education
Briefing for parliamentarians setting out the important role universities play in the training of new teachers, with recommendations about how to address some current issues with teacher recruitment, retention and professional development.

Universities UK response to the Office for Students consultation on registration fees and other fees

14 March 2017
Parliament and government Regulation of higher education Student experience
A fee-based approach to OfS funding will be an opportunity to strengthen accountability to the sector. However, as the costs of the OfS will also indirectly fall on students, fees and funding should be value for money, sustainable and proportionate.
Lord Hannay briefing front cover

Parliamentary briefing: Lord Hannay amendment to the Higher Education and Research Bill

Briefing
10 March 2017
Parliament and government
Our briefing ahead of the Report Stage sitting of the Higher Education and Research Bill, that will debate an amendment led by Lord Hannay regarding international students and staff.
HERB – Lords second reading

The economic impact of international students

Briefing
6 March 2017
Economic impact Immigration Parliament and government
This briefing outlines new figures for 2014–15 on the economic impact of international students studying in the UK, including the jobs generated at a regional level and the income they provide local businesses.
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Blogs

Student working on a bike

Funding for adult learners will boost the UK's economic recovery

30 September 2020
UUK's Julie Tam takes a look at the prime minister's announcement of a lifetime skills allowance, and what it means for the economy, society, and individuals.

General election 2019: what the parties say on higher education

27 November 2019
UUK's Karmjit Kaur takes a look at the policy commitments on higher education in party manifestos ahead of the general election.

News

Universities UK publishes recommendations for reforms to make university admissions fairer and more transparent

13 November 2020
Universities UK [UUK] is today publishing its Fair Admissions Review recommendations, which will build greater levels of transparency, trust, and public understanding in admissions practices.

New guidance can ensure universities protect and develop international partnerships

15 October 2020
Universities are today publishing guidelines to better safeguard themselves against security-related risks that can result from international collaborations.

Government must act now or risk losing European students for years to come

5 October 2020
​Prospective university students from Europe must be given assurances that they will be given every opportunity to study in the UK, following one of the biggest changes to international student recruitment in a generation.