§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the(a) annual budget and (b) powers of the proposed Access Regulator for higher education institutions will be; and if he will make a statement. [93747]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 29 January 2003]: The Access Regulator will work within the Higher Education Funding Council, as set out in "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5734), and will have the power to withdraw approval for variable fees, or impose financial penalties, where Access Agreements are not fulfilled.