LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY AND REDUCTIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING

That this House congratulates the London Metropolitan University on the work it has done to widen participation in higher education; notes with concern its decision to cut 70 per cent. of its undergraduate courses, including cutting all access to history, philosophy and performing arts subjects; regrets that this will lead to a loss of jobs and education provision in London and limit course choices markedly; further notes that a large proportion of London Met' students are from non-traditional backgrounds and that such cuts will adversely impact widening participation in London; furthernotes the Government's 80 per cent. reduction in the higher education teaching budget and removal of state funding from all arts, humanities and social sciences; believes that such cuts will reduce provision at a vast number of institutions across the country; and calls on the Government to reinstate such funding and to urge London Metropolitan University to review its decision in order to ensure adequate and sustainable provision of higher education.