If you want to influence UK parties’ HE policies, now is the time to engage

The upcoming general election presents a critical opportunity for the UK’s universities to address the many challenges that threaten their stability and reputation.

Many families and students are concerned about the ongoing financial burden of going to university, particularly given the inflation-driven interest rate rises on student loans. Meanwhile, the ability of institutions to attract international talent has been thwarted by restrictions on freedom of movement from the European Union and enduring uncertainty over the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, with implications for research funding and collaboration. At the same time, the new Freedom of Speech Act has challenged universities to better strike the delicate balance between protecting free expression and open debate while creating inclusive and safe environments.

With increasingly hostile rhetoric around what the government has called “rip-off” degrees and the lack of serious detail about the Labour Party’s own position on the future of university funding, now is a crucial time for the sector to assemble the vocal champions it will need to ease its challenges.

Universities need to build relationships with policymakers by giving them practical solutions to some of the complex problems they are grappling with regarding higher education. From my own experience as apprenticeships and skills minister, I know how helpful it is to be able to rely on constructive partners across the sector to provide clear and well-evidenced policy proposals to support decision-making.

To that end, it is vital that vice-chancellors and sector representatives develop and refine their key policy asks as parties turn their attention to their autumn conferences and their election manifestos. From securing more sustainable funding to addressing the challenges around freedom of speech, the election presents an ideal opportunity for the sector to provide policymakers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of the issues facing institutions – and those working in them – and why they should be prioritised by an incoming administration.

Early definition of coherent and workable objectives is vital. In today’s challenging economic climate, the wisest approach is to focus on policy that does not require significant spending commitments but which does deliver long-term cost savings. Aim to demonstrate best practice in the sector, including successful policy from abroad.

Conversely, overly technical or ambitious proposals should be avoided. My 14 years in Parliament taught me that the electorate – and MPs themselves – have become weary of policy commitments that have little chance of being realised.

Another important piece of advice is to cast your political net widely. Contrary to current polling that predicts an overwhelming Labour majority, we are still some way off an outright Starmer victory. Indeed, while the ongoing economic situation may sink various Conservative incumbents, some kind of informal coalition cannot be ruled out. Hence, working with parties from across the spectrum will be crucial to amplifying key messages and policy recommendations.

Attending events and party conferences, in addition to scheduling meetings with each party’s higher education spokesperson and specialists, will be an essential part of demonstrating your understanding of the key issues, the various parties’ perspectives on them and your willingness to work with them collaboratively. In this way, MPs – and future ministers – will look on you and your organisation as genuinely constructive partners to help tackle future issues in the wider education sector.

It is also worth bearing in mind that government is often more likely to take note when organisations band together to form more powerful coalitions to deliver impactful messages.

Even so, persistence and patience are likely to be vital. Policy change does not happen overnight; indeed, it often takes weeks, months, even years for a new policy to be agreed, developed and delivered.

Monitoring progress and follow-up is important to maintaining relationships and demonstrating your ongoing commitment to the issues at hand. The more cognisant you can make parliamentarians and ministers of challenges and opportunities in the sector, the more likely they are to act on them.

Anne Milton is a former apprenticeships and skills minister and current adviser to PLMR.