Interim plea to Dearing

Last Friday was the deadline for English universities to file financial forecasts with the funding council. Not all met the deadline. With a cash crisis looming, THES reporters look at the sums and who carries the can when they do not add up

College and university chiefs are pressing the Dearing committee to produce an interim report urging the Government to reverse higher education funding cuts.

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals is supporting a memorandum sent to members of the Dearing Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education by Sir Derek Roberts, provost of University College London.

The memo asks the committee to produce an immediate interim report calling on the Government to reinstate the average 7 per cent cut imposed on institutions in the November 1995 Budget. He stresses the need to reverse the "dangerously ill-conceived" 30 per cent cut in capital/equipment funding. The memo explains that the funding crisis is hitting the universities now and that they cannot wait until the outcome of the inquiry.

Sir Derek also calls on Sir Ron to extend the inquiry period by one year thereby providing adequate time to address thoroughly the "vital and complex issues".