HEFCW must retain independence from government

The Learned Society of Wales has said that it is essential that the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales remains an arm’s-length body when it acquires new regulatory powers.

In its response to the government’s review of the regulation and oversight of higher education in Wales, which began in October 2015, the society said that HEFCW must retain its independence or risk losing its credibility.

“With HEFCW scheduled to acquire new regulatory powers under the Higher Education Act 2015,” the society said, “retaining its independence from government will be important both for its credibility and interaction with universities, who will need the ability to manage their own affairs by generating income, given that direct public funding now amounts to less than 10 per cent of the total institutional income.”