“Our core message is that the disparity between the 50% of young people attending higher education and the other 50% who do not has to be addressed. Doing so is a matter of fairness and equity and is likely to bring considerable social and economic benefits to individuals and the country at large”.

This is the message that underpins the proposals from the independent panel, chaired by Dr Philip Augar, following the extensive review into post-18 education and funding.

This panel’s report considers both parts of tertiary education - higher education and further education - concluding that the considerable achievements of the HE sector need to be built upon, but more needs to be done for non-university post–18 education.

The report’s recommendations identify areas where the post–18 education system could be improved. These include:

1. Reform and refund the FE college network: increase the base rate of funding for high-return courses, increase capital and workforce investment, rationalise provision across over- and under-supplied areas, fund some specialised colleges, improve links with HE and other providers.
2. Strengthen technical education: improve funding, implement a better maintenance offer, establish a more coherent suite of higher technical and professional qualifications.
3. Improve the apprenticeship offer: improve quality, strengthen Ofsted’s role, improve wage-return information for would-be apprentices, address barriers for SMEs, fund apprenticeships at degree level only for those who do not already have a publicly funded degree.
4. Increase opportunities for everyone: reverse cuts to adult education, encourage part-time and later-life learning, give people choice in post–18 education outside of university via an accessible funding/loan system to increase flexibility and lifetime learning.
5. Address HE funding: cap fees at £7,500 per year, reintroduce maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, rename student ‘loans’ as ‘student contribution system’, extend the repayment period.
6. Bear down on low value HE: incentivise universities to increase the provision of courses better aligned with economic needs.
7. Support disadvantaged students: increase funding support, improve advice and guidance.

The government will now consider the panel’s proposals, engaging further with stakeholders and students, before finalising its approach at the 2019 spending review.