Policy paper

Education Sector Advisory Group minutes 9 July 2020

Updated 31 May 2024

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Time, date and venue: 3 to 4:30pm, 9 July 2020 (online)

Chair: Graham Stuart, Minister for Investment, Department for International Trade (DIT)

Secretary: Benjamin Hilton, DIT

Attendees

• Minister Donelan: Minister for Universities, DfE, Co-Chair
• Minister Stuart: Minister for Exports, DIT, Co-chair
• Minister Adams: FCO, DfID, Minister for Asia
• Minister Foster: Home Office, Minister for Immigration
• Sir Ciarán Devane: Chief Executive, British Council
• Vivienne Stern: Director, Universities UK International (UUKi)
• Alex Proudfoot: Chief Executive, Independent HE (IHE)
• Colin Bell: Chief Executive, Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
• Neil Leitch: Chief Executive, Early Years Alliance
• Lesley Davies: Chair, UK Skills Partnership (UKSP)
• Caroline Wright: Director General, British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA)
• Jodie Gray: Interim Chief Executive, English UK
• Professor Sir Steve Smith: International Education Champion

Secretariat

• Geoff Gladding, Education Sector Team Lead, DIT
• Benjamin Hilton, DIT

1. Welcome and introductions

Minister Stuart welcomed everyone to the meeting. He expressed that the government is well aware of how difficult the previous few months have been for the education sector, and that he looks forward to working with the members of this Group to help the sector bounce back from the impact of COVID-19. Minister Stuart extended a particular welcome to the new International Education Champion, Prof Sir Steve Smith.

Minister Donelan echoed Minister Stuart’s welcome, and added that the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for International Trade’s (DIT) focus over the next few months is working towards publishing a review of the International Education Strategy in the autumn and that the Group’s engagement will be hugely helpful in refining that thinking.

Minister Foster introduced himself to the Group. He explained his portfolio around future borders and immigration and that the government is looking towards a new migration system.

Minister Stuart invited each member to introduce themselves and give a short update to the group.

1.1 British Council

The British Council explained that over the past few months, the paid for services of British Council had stopped, leading to a need for conversations with HM Treasury and FCO around increased public funding. As such, funds may not be available for developed world initiatives. The British Council successfully held Going Global online in June 2020. They have also conducted research around student sentiment, concluding that 40% of prospective students are sitting on the fence; reassurances about health and personal safety are necessary. The government and the British Council should consider how to leverage Study UK to help with the sector’s bounce-back in a collaborative way, and encourage the Department for International Development (DfID) and the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to be part of this conversation.

1.2 UUKi

UUKi extended their thanks to the Home Office for a run of positive announcements. They noted that the higher education sector is exceptionally grateful and are convinced that those actions have given the sector a fighting chance in recruiting international students for the coming academic year. The sector has been campaigning very hard on this, with Minister Donelan’s support.

A UUKi survey found that 97% of institutions are planning some face to face teaching in the coming academic year. The demand picture for the year looked encouraging with UCAS reporting unexpectedly buoyant figures, although it was acknowledged that it will not be known for certain whether those applicants will actually arrive until September/October. UUKi have conducted some analysis in a report entitled “Why aren’t we second?”, looking at markets where the UK may have lost market share, and shared as a paper at this meeting.

A UUKi series of live webinars and Facebook live events, timed to coincide with key policy changes, have been watched by over 200,000 students. UUKi are also working to make sure universities can implement self-isolation requirements for incoming students.

1.3 IHE

IHE explained that there has been a drastic drop in students on professional short courses and study abroad programmes. Study abroad programmes from March to September have been cancelled, although there is a lack of data on international students attending these programmes, so it is hard to assess the impact economically.

IHE have focussed on spreading information and communications, as the majority of their members are SME providers who lack the resource to stay on top of rapid policy changes; a government ‘one stop shop’ resource for providers of international students bringing together DfE, Home Office and other government guidance would be helpful.

1.4 UKSP

UKSP told the Group that colleges face similar problems as universities, with potential cancellations from international students in the coming academic year. Colleges are currently working to be able to welcome international students in September, although they expect that there are concerns among students about COVID-19 safety. The Association of Colleges are working to reassure students on this; the sector welcomed the changes announced by the Home Office, which are helpful in showing that the UK will welcome international students next academic year.

Independent training providers (ITPs) have private contracts overseas which have almost completely halted, as they cannot be in country to deliver on the contracts. ITPs’ loss of apprenticeships in the UK are likely to destabilise the UK market, which in turn impacts international capacity, leading to some providers potentially leaving the market.

There are around 160 awarding organisations in the UK, many very small, and even some of the small providers have international work. Whilst not all awarding organisations will survive, and others are concentrating solely on the UK market, some bodies have seen a noted increase in business as a result in a rise for demand in online assessment.

1.5 COBIS

Twenty-five independent schools in the UK have closed as a direct impact of COVID-19. For those schools overseas, there are particular concerns regarding teacher supply, with restrictions on visas, work permits and travel to/from countries. COBIS have also conducted a report into teacher supply in the international schools’ sector, with the findings in their paper circulated for this meeting: this research, based on more than 1,100 survey responses from senior leaders, incoming teachers, and outgoing teachers, provides concrete data about the profile and motivation of teachers entering and leaving the British international school sector, the quality of their experience, the movement between sectors, and the current teacher recruitment climate in international schools. COBIS also expressed concerns regarding the management and grading of British public examinations for 2020 and 2021; the potential negative impact of fewer international students; and the potential damage to the reputation of British public examination systems.

1.6 EYA

Early Years Alliance updated the Group that early years sector had very little international activity, with a focus on providing continuity of care in the domestic market. Developing international activity is off the agenda for early years providers at the present time.

1.7 English UK

English UK thanked Minister Stuart for his response on the recent adjournment debate around English language schools. Caroline Ansell MP spoke on the difficulties being faced by the English Language Training (ELT) sector and there were numerous impassioned interventions. The sector appreciated hearing that DIT will champion the ELT sector across government.

English UK gave the latest statistics regarding the sector’s activity. There has been an 83% drop in the number of students studying English in the UK from January to September 2020. Since March 2020, 84% of employees in ELT have been furloughed or released, with an additional 9% of employees working reduced hours.

1.8 BESA

BESA expressed their pride in terms of the educational suppliers’ sector’s provision of £30 million of support to schools in the UK and internationally. The sector is working on publishing guidance for schools on using technology to get ready for reopening. BESA thanked DIT for their support on amplifying LendEd, BESA’s EdTech platform. BESA are working with DIT on plans for virtual trade missions, potentially to new markets, and with DfE and DIT feeding in on trade policy discussions. BESA are concerned about state funding of free curriculum resources in UK market, as suppliers cannot sustain making resources free, and moving away from this model will be made more difficult by state funding of free resources. BESA would like to work with DfE to propose a range of ways in which costless measures could mitigate this risk.

Action 1: All to feed in to UUKi’s draft “Priorities for Action”, included at the end of paper 3.

2. Minutes and actions from previous meetings

Geoff Gladding, DIT Education lead, reported on the actions from previous meetings:

4 February meeting

Action 5: DIT Education team to facilitate further meetings between the Trade Policy Group and the Education sector.

Action ongoing. DIT has so far facilitated meetings with UUKi, UKSP, BESA and Pearson. Further meetings have taken place with a second discussion with Pearson; a second meeting with UUKi which was attended by Russell Group representatives and with the British Council in East Asia and in the US.

14 May meeting

Action 1: DIT Education team to circulate UUKI’s report on the UK’s market position to the Group. Action closed.

Action 2: The British Council, DIT and DfE to explore ways to bring the rest of the Group into the Study UK campaign.

Initial meetings have taken place to discuss this.

Action 3: DIT to explore how the Bilateral Trade Relationships team could become involved with unlocking trade barriers, particularly in online education.

DIT is forming a cross-government working group to identify and remove newly resolvable qualification recognition issues, particularly in online education. This group will meet for the first time w/c 13 July.

3. International Education Champion: Professor Sir Steve Smith

Minister Stuart explained his view that Sir Steve’s activity should be focussed on a relatively small number of markets where there are tangible outcomes for him to achieve, where he will have the opportunity to develop substantive relationships and thus make a real difference.

Sir Steve explained that he is excited about his new position as International Education Champion. Sir Steve is an academic in international relations, and the president of a world body in the field, so he is well aware of geopolitical complexities. He has worked closely with UUKi over a number of years. He confessed that he needed to learn more about other education sub-sectors but had found his induction into those areas very helpful. He has had uniformly positive conversations and already identified opportunities.

Sir Steve wants to start thinking through interim targets, including target countries, using data around current exports and what can be done to increase these numbers. He would like to be held to account for these targets. Sir Steve will be talking to every member of the group, Ministers Stuart and Donelan, as well as the devolved administrations.

Action 2: Every Group member to meet Sir Steve to explain their sector to him and discuss his priorities, targets and initial activity.

4. Sector response to, and prioritising, asks of government around COVID-19

English UK gave a presentation on behalf of all sector attendees, detailing the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, the sector’s response to this, and the remaining areas in which government could act to support the sector further.

English UK explained the unprecedented impact that COVID-19 has had on the whole of the education sector, and recognised the government’s unprecedented response to the challenge. For example, for one English UK member, at this point last year, they would have had 8,000 students arriving into host families across London; this year, they have two. Revenue is usually £6,000,000 over the period; in 2020 it has been £219 since the end of March.

The sector has responded with innovative solutions by moving education online and making the best use of the education technology available, whilst working hard to market their offers in the new COVID-19 world.

There are three categories of priority asks: financial support from government; regulatory measures particularly in terms of visa reform; and marketing and export promotion measures to help maximise the recovery and sustain it going forward.

4.1 Financial support

One of the obstacles standing in the way of the survival of small institutions is that they are not eligible of the business rates holiday and associated grants offered to the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors despite facing similar difficulties. Jodie sought ongoing support for seasonal businesses until they reach their next peak season next Easter.

The government could explore mechanisms to offer government-backed loans at commercial rates to international students, e.g. though UKEF. Minister Stuart noted that UKEF is looking to launch a new product called the General Export Facility, which should provide support to exporters who do not have a specific export contract.

English UK explained Trade Access Programme (TAP) funding is crucial for English UK and BESA members, particularly if they are returning to square one in exports. Minister Stuart said that DIT are looking at temporarily removing the lifetime cap on grants.

English UK spoke about possible grants for companies short on cash flow.

4.2 Borders, visas and immigration

English UK said that reducing visa application fees would be really important for ELT and short course providers. Many students had visas for courses and had paid for a visa, yet are having to re-apply. Institutions do not want to offer refunds to these students, as they want them to come back next year, and so having to pay again for visas is sending the wrong message to these students.

English UK noted again that the Tier 4 visa concessions have been really well received by the sector, and that making these concessions permanent would significantly support recovery. To facilitate the growth of TNE, the Home Office could look to introducing long-term recognition of online and blended learning in Tier 4 visas. Additionally, permanently allowing switching from short-term to long-term study visas without leaving the UK would help both the short course sector and support the pipeline of students into HE.

In ELT, 51% of students in the UK are under 18 and often only have ID cards and not passports. Allowing travel on these ID cards in the new immigration system would help support the sector, as would working rights parity between short-term study and other study visas.

Potentially, the expansion of the Graduate route to 3-4 years would bring the UK’s offer in line with competitors such as Australia.

IHE have identified a backlog of registration applications with the Office for Students and Independent Schools Inspectorate, and clearing this backlog could help to grow the number of licensed sponsors for international students.

Finally, English UK said, government, particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), should be making sure that teachers are able to reach international schools across the world.

Minister Foster explained that there is a history of abuse of work rights for those on short-term study visas, and also that the Home Office has committed to bring to an end to ID card-only travel as it is easy to forge ID cards. However, the Home Office will continue to look at the experience of visa applications, as well as trying to make monitoring better. He also stressed that in the future immigration system, those applying for the Skilled Worker route will only need employment at school leaver level, i.e. with Level 3 qualifications, making it much easier to qualify under this route.

4.3 Marketing and export promotion

The entire sector is concerned that the perception is that the UK is an unsafe place to be as a result of both COVID-19 and concerns around personal safety; this has been borne out through the results of various surveys of potential and current international students, especially in East Asia where parents are big influences on student decision making. The UK’s COVID-19 metrics don’t compare well with all competitors, but it is important that people feel confident enough to get on planes and travel.

English UK said that the government should look to increase financial support for the Study UK campaign, expanding it to include more priority countries as well as ELT, TVET, short courses and boarding schools. This support should also be extended to increasing the Education is GREAT and Skills are GREAT campaigns, with increased trade missions as part of this.

English UK explained that the complete funding of the British Council’s export promotion activity is crucial, as is DfID and FCO support for TVET exports through prosperity and Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding. UUKi would like to see scholarships, co-funded by the sector, similar to the GREAT scholarships model, as well as a single portal for international students on scholarships and commercial loans. COBIS would like to see increased international teacher training opportunities.

UUKi stressed the British Council, and its international infrastructure, is going to be essential for the sector’s recovery. Additionally, whilst the Study UK campaign has been a really good initiative hamstrung by ODA funding, e.g. a third of our students come from Europe, Study UK will need non-ODA funding in order to be deployed in Europe and scaled up elsewhere. UUKi and the British Council are happy to look at how universities can contribute more to the campaign as well, if it receives this increase in the government’s desired scale and government backing.

Minister Adams recognised the key role that the British Council plays in the education sector. He made clear that the government have provided a £20 million non-ODA grant and a further £60 million loan to see them through COVID-related financial difficulty. The British Council thanked both UUKi and Minister Adams for their support.

Finally, English UK noted that the sector views it as crucial that the government and the sector work to safeguard EU markets in 2021 and beyond.

5. Departmental updates and reflections

5.1 Department for International Trade

Minister Stuart explained that, as part of its new Export Strategy, DIT will be producing a series of ‘bounce-back’ packages across all sectors, looking to help sectors’ international activity recover from COVID-19. The education sector’s package will be incorporated as part of the review of the International Education Strategy, to be published this autumn, and DIT and DfE will consider everything that the sector has discussed at this meeting when developing this package. DIT education team are already, for example, working closely with UKEF and had a constructive meeting with Louis Taylor last week.

Minister Stuart also summarised government’s activity on the most ambitious set of trade negotiations in global history, negotiating with the EU, USA, Australia, Japan and NZ, looking towards potentially joining Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to reach the manifesto pledge to have 80% the UK’s trade covered by FTAs. A written update on this work was sent to group members alongside the papers for this meeting. DIT’s Trade Policy Group have, since the last meeting of this Group, had further meetings with Universities UK International, the Russell Group, Pearson and British Council representatives in East Asia and the US.

5.2 Department for Education

Minister Donelan explained that a series of actions have already been taken to support the recovery of international student recruitment. DfE and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have also announced of a package of measures to stabilise the University sector. There have been a range of welcome visa changes from the Home Office. The government is also working very hard on comms in key markets trying to land messages that the UK is open for business. Op-eds and social media on international students have been launched; a joint letter with Minister Stuart and DA counterparts has also been sent to prospective international students. DfE has also been working hard behind the scenes along with DIT on the revision of the International Education Strategy which DIT and DfE are still planning to publish in autumn.

5.3 Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development

Minister Adams thanked the Group for inviting him, and added his welcome to Sir Steve, offering him access to the FCO’s extensive international network in order to fulfil his objectives. Minister Adams explained that he is responsible, within the FCO, for economic diplomacy, trade and soft power which includes the British Council and the UK’s scholarships programmes. He sees international education as a crucial part of our vision of a global Britain.

Minister Adams recognised the huge impact that COVID-19 has had on the sector, and added that FCO are also working to reassure the student market, working closely with Study UK and the GREAT campaign. Minister Adams also expressed his support for the UK’s scholarships programmes, which fuel research and business connections. He said that the FCO will continue to support these programmes and despite the challenges to studying in the UK that COVID brings.

Finally, Minister Adams welcomed the merging of the FCO and DfID to form the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He sees this as a huge opportunity to bring expertise together in education, working actively towards United Nations Sustainable Development Group 4.

5.4 Home Office

Minister Foster explained that the government is now starting to get visa application centres re-opened. He welcomed his recent meeting with Ministers Stuart and Donelan. He stressed that the Home Office will be extending the Tier 4 application window from 3 months to 6 months before courses begin, and also that those arriving before 6 April 2021 will qualify under the new Graduate route. The new Student route will launch as part of the points-based system. Finally, he noted with interest that ELT is akin to tourism and noted that there may be ways to bring the short-term study visa in line with tourist visas.

Action 3: Government to consider the sector’s ask as presented at this meeting, for inclusion in the review of the International Education Strategy or wider government work.

6. Any other business

Date of next meeting

• Tuesday 1 September 2020 from 11am to 1pm