§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the proposals for higher education on the number of students choosing to continue in postgraduate education. [157496]
§ Alan JohnsonAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills stated in the Second Reading debate on 27 January, there will be a review by an independent commission, reporting to Parliament directly on the impact of the new fee regime three years after implementation. Evaluation of the impact on postgraduate education will be considered as part of that review.
My right hon. Friend has also commissioned a report to examine the Gateways into the Professions which will be led by Sir Alan Langlands. The report will examine how the public sector and the professions can sustain and improve recruitment opportunities for graduates, especially those who do not qualify for the full £3000 support. Sir Alan will be reporting to us by mid 2005.