§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of additional university staff required to meet the target of increasing the proportion of 18 to 30-year-olds who take higher education courses to 50 per cent. by 2010. [28527]
§ Margaret HodgeThere will need to be a significant increase in the number of university staff. The extra staff needed in each year will depend upon: the number of738W students each year as we progress to the target; the number of students to each member of staff; and staff turnover. The number of students each year will be affected by the following factors: the size and age distribution of the population; the proportion of the population attaining the qualifications necessary for higher education; and the proportion of those qualified who choose to enter high education. This will in part depend on the funding levels that are subject to discussion in the spending review. The outcome of the review will be announced in the summer of 2002.