Alex Proudfoot, Chief Executive of Independent Higher Education, has commented on the Levelling Up White Paper released today:

“We welcome the release of the Levelling Up white paper today and its strong focus on ensuring the local accessibility of high-quality educational institutions for a lifetime of training opportunities. This is very much in line with IHE’s own strategic goals of promoting investment and the expansion of new provision across all UK regions, while giving students access to the widest possible range of innovative, flexible and tailored learning options.

“We are especially pleased to see the Government renew its commitment to encouraging new high quality HE providers to open across England, and working with the Office for Students to remove any unnecessary barriers to entry and innovation. We will be briefing the leadership of the OfS in the weeks ahead on the barriers which do remain and the potential for reform.

“The Unit for Future Skills should also be of great help to the many independent higher education providers who are keen to tailor and extend their provision across the UK to meet the needs of local businesses and communities. IHE’s members stand ready and eager to deliver the flexible higher and professional education courses of tomorrow, and we look forward to working with officials across Government to design a revolutionary Lifelong Loan Entitlement over the next three years.”