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Comprehensive Spending Review reports

The Government has released its joint Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) and Autumn Statement. This sets out the course of Government spending over the next four financial years, up to the next General Election in 2020.

You can read the full report here (PDF Document) 

In the Spending Review, the Government decides budgets for each department. The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for universities and science. It has received a 17% cut, which equates to overall savings of £2.4bn by 2019-2020.

Headlines for Higher Education

  • Science budget to be protected 'in real terms' and to include a £1.5billion 'Global Challenges Fund'
  • The Nurse Review to be implemented fully to create an overarching research council and a cross-cutting research fund
  • Postgraduate loans to be introduced from 2016/17 and age cap to be lifted to make them available to all those under 60
  • From 2017-18, tuition loans will be extended to students wishing to do a second degree in a STEM subject
  • New part-time maintenance loans from 2018-2019 to support the cost of living while studying
  • Funding for high cost subjects to be protected but teaching grant to be reduced by £120m by 2019-20
  • HEFCE asked to 'retarget and reduce' the student opportunity fund
  • Conversion of student maintenance grants to loans in England - announced in the summer's Budget but included as part of this Spending Review

Sector and related commentary

Sector and related commentary will be published on this page as it becomes available.

CSR Submissions earlier this year

A number of HE bodies submitted to the Comprehensive Spending Review earlier this year. You can read some of their commentary below:

Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)

It has also been confirmed today that the Government will invest £60million in the Midlands region for the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA), with an additional £120 million coming from the private sector and Midlands Innovation universities. Warwick is one of six Midlands universities who will play a key role in next steps for the UK’s energy sector. Research will transform UK expertise in energy storage, thermal energy and energy efficiency to create new products and services, jobs and growth. Read more.