Political party conferences

Shadow minister warns UK risks being overtaken by rivals in North America and Asia if sectors don’t work more closely together

Ahead of University Mental Health Day on 1 March, Robin Brinkworth argues that institutions must become far more open and accountable on how they are handling student problems

Extraordinary demand for a conference on how universities support staff with invisible disabilities highlights how ableism remains widespread in academia, argue Jennifer Leigh and Nicole Brown

The prime minister’s review of higher education is an exercise in self-harm that will also inflict damage on universities, says Patrick McGhee

In the past six years, the number of new part-time students in England has fallen by 56 per cent, writes Peter Horrocks

Pam Tatlow returns from the 2017 Conservative Party conference with food for thought (and beer to drink)

Universities were never far from the top of the agenda at this year’s Conservative Party conference, writes Diana Beech

Theresa May’s tweaks to tuition fees may not be enough to quell the disquiet over the current system, says John Gill

John Morgan looks at the key issues a review may cover and the big worries for the sector

Conference speech raises questions about future of £9,250 fees system and shows impact of Labour policy

Text from the prime minister's 2018 party conference address

John Morgan asks whether laments for the polytechnics may have policy impact

Finance expert Martin Lewis likens government to 'illegal loan shark' on 'disastrous' threshold freeze

Fringe events debate funding, Brexit and the social capital of knowing Jo Johnson, John Morgan reports

Theresa May’s goal of achieving fee differentiation steps into ‘minefield’, sector figures warn

John Morgan looks at Theresa May’s plans for reforms to England's system

Andy Green weighs up the three main parties’ higher education policies and suggests his own solution to the funding question

Pam Tatlow finds a lively political conference buoyed by talk of abolishing tuition fees

Education debate at the Labour conference in Brighton has gone beyond the easy headlines, says Andy Westwood – but important questions remain unanswered

Nick Hillman writes from the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, where – happily – he finds fewer lobbyists and more activists

Shadow industrial strategy minister says scrapping fees essential for universities' civic mission

Chancellor appears to adopt IFS blueprint, but elements of reported plans bring ‘real concerns’ for universities