Universities
Minister David Willetts has today given his full support to a new
taskforce on student finance, to be chaired by Martin Lewis of
Moneysavingexpert.com and former NUS President Wes Streeting.
The independent taskforce will work to combat the myths around
the changes to English student finance in 2012 and will seek to
reassure potential students about what they can expect when
applying for university and beyond.
Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts said,
“It is vital that people understand how the new system will work
from 2012. This independent group has the expertise and reach to
communicate to a huge number of prospective students, families and
teachers as well as to universities. I strongly back this new
initiative. The group will be well resourced by the sector and we
will be listening to what it says.
“Under the new system no new student will be asked to pay up
front for their tuition. There will be more financial support for
students from low-income households. Graduates will not be asked
to repay their loans until they are in well paid jobs. I thank all
those who are coming together from a wide range of organisations
to help ensure the public have the facts.”
The taskforce will provide a valuable boost to the government’s
public information campaign on student finance for 2012 students,
launched last month. The press, radio, media partnership and
social media campaign links students and parents to a new
dedicated Direct.gov.uk microsite, which describes how the tuition
loan system will operate, how to get a student loan, help with
living costs and what support is available from government.
More information on the campaign can be found at: http://yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors:
1. The Independent Taskforce on Student Finance
Communication
The task force is being established to help ensure students
understand the true cost of their education after the 2012 English
student finance changes. It is to be independent of government and
set its own agenda – membership is of university, student groups,
experts and others.
It primary aim is to co-ordinate, advocate and champion best of
breed communication in the online, app, print, and broadcast
spaces – allowing all interested groups (e.g. schools, colleges,
universities) to help students understand the changes, access to
the best unbiased educational tools to do so.
Further details about the taskforce and facts about student
finance can be found at:
www.moneysavingexpert.com/students2012
2. Martin Lewis
Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, is a journalist and consumer
campaigner who created MoneySavingExpert.com, the UK's
biggest money website, which has almost 10 million monthly unique
users and over 5 million have opted to receive the weekly e-mail.
He is the UK's 2nd most internet searched person,
Citizens Advice Consumer Champion of the year, has spearheaded
major financial justice campaigns including bank charges
reclaiming (over 6m template letters downloaded) and PPI
reclaiming (over 1m). He has regular slots as resident expert on
Daybreak, Lorraine, Radio 2's Vine, Radio 5's
consumer panel and BBC1 Watchdog amongst others.
3. Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting is Chief Executive of the Helena Kennedy
Foundation, which aims to overcome social injustice by providing
financial bursaries, mentoring and support to disadvantaged
students from the further and adult education sectors. Previously
he was President of the National Union of Students from 2008-2010.
Wes is also a Labour councillor in the London borough of
Redbridge.
4. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press
notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It
also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See
http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Emma Griffiths
Phone: 020 7215 5982
Emma.Griffiths@bis.gsi.gov.uk