Reforms dissected in new documentary

Rajay Naik, one of seven members of the panel convened by the last Labour government to review university funding, makes the comments in a new documentary that critiques the recent higher education reforms.

Discussing the aims of the panel, which was led by Lord Browne of Madingley, Mr Naik says: “What we were very clear about doing was producing a report which was well informed, well thought out, which protected quality – enhanced quality, indeed - protected [and] enhanced participation and which was truly sustainable for the future. I think we delivered that. What politicians now go on and do is frankly a matter for them.”

The documentary, launched online today, is produced by Martin McQuillan, professor of literary theory and cultural analysis and dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Kingston University, and Joanna Callaghan, lecturer in media, art and design at the University of Bedfordshire.

Among the other commentators featured are Baroness Blackstone, former vice-chancellor of Greenwich University and a Labour Education minister from 1997-2001, and Nick Barr, professor of public economics at the London School of Economics.