We need a more co-ordinated and streamlined approach to post-18 education, says AoC

Arti Saraswat, Senior Policy Manager, Higher Education, at the Association of Colleges, said: “The report ‘Augar Reviewed’ rightly calls for removal of the distortions and biases in the funding, regulation and oversight of tertiary education that favour full-time degrees over all other routes.

"The report highlights the need to place the whole post-18 education system on a more sustainable path. We have for some time called for a tertiary system that is fairer, more efficient and more effective than the system we now operate in and one that serves the needs of all individuals regardless of where they live and study.

"There is a pressing need for a more co-ordinated and streamlined approach to funding, regulation and oversight of post-18 education.

"The report recommends integrating higher education, further education and apprenticeships by switching to a devolved model for tertiary education and rightly calls for a single unified system of maintenance support for all tertiary provision across universities and colleges. Colleges offer opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study HE and there is no justification for disparities in funding and maintenance for those studying HE in FE settings.”