Moved by
Baroness Wolf of Dulwich
434ZA: After Clause 72, insert the following new Clause—
“Power to require information on the need for new providers
(1) The Secretary of State must establish an independent committee to provide information to the Secretary of State and to the OfS on emerging needs for new providers within the higher education sector.
(2) The independent committee may provide recommendations to the Secretary of State on matters including—
(a) the type and location of new provision that is required;
(b) how best to make validation arrangements for particular new providers, should they be required, and whether mentoring by established institutions will be required.
(3) In making recommendations under this section, the independent committee must take into account—
(a) skills shortages, including forecast skills shortages, within the economy of the United Kingdom;
(b) lack of adequate provision within the higher education sector for certain disciplines;
(c) restricted access to higher education, or to particular disciplines, in certain areas of England, including restricted access for part-time and employed learners.
(4) In this section “validation arrangements” means arrangements between the Secretary of State, the Office for Students and a registered higher education provider under which the higher education provider is authorised to grant taught awards or research awards or both.”