13 June 2017 Matt Sisson, Projects and Membership Manager
After last week’s shock election result, you won’t have missed the news that we have a hung parliament. We mentioned the risk to HE of this particular outcome in the Digest two weeks ago and, while the Conservative minority government means the sector doesn’t have to contemplate the end of the tuition fees regime, there will be changes and compromises. The proposed confidence and supply deal with the DUP, as well as the need to allay the fears of the Scottish Conservatives may turn out to have HE dimensions, but so far the debate has been over other matters.
One surprise is that Jo Johnson has been reappointed as Universities and Science Minister. Mr Johnson was widely expected to lose his role following the projected landslide victory but, as the election turned in a different direction, he keeps his post as, as some commentators believe, the Prime Minister adapts to a more consensual leadership style. Justine Greening also keeps her role at DfE, as does Greg Clark at BEIS – all in all some welcome stability for the sector.