Cutting London weighting ‘will destabilise higher education’

Gavin Williamson wants to axe higher education funding in the capital as part of the “levelling up” agenda.

(PA Wire)" />

Removing the London weighting from university funding will destabilise higher education in the capital, a report warned today.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson wants to axe higher education funding in the capital as part of the “levelling up” agenda.

But university chiefs say the move to cut London weighting from the teaching grant will deliver a £64million blow to its higher education centres. A report from London Higher, which represents more than 40 universities and higher education colleges across London, said removing vital funds “clearly destabilises London’s HE sector and puts London’s universities at a significant funding disadvantage”.

The London weighting is paid to higher education institutions to reflect the higher costs of providing services in the capital, such as staff salaries and property.

It is intended to level the playing field by offsetting the higher costs of operating in the capital.

A consultation is under way on the proposals to remove the funding.

The report concluded that cutting it would be “levelling down not levelling up”.

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