Latest news with #Northumbria
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
The decline of our once-great universities is nothing to celebrate
Thirty years ago this summer, I was making a decision. Go to university to study politics, or accept a job selling computers at the then-princely salary of £13,000? For a boy from the Northumbrian countryside with a healthy fear of debt, it wasn't a simple choice. I chose university, because I guessed it was a better path to my long-term goals. And, to be honest, because I preferred reading books and sleeping late to plunging straight into the 9-to-5. Would I make the same choice today? In the decades since my decision, for a large number of school-leavers the answer is and has been Yes. Even though Higher Education (HE) is now both more expensive and less enjoyable than when I became a student, the pull of 'uni' is strong. Fees and debt; limited teaching by demoralised lecturers; worries about mental health – none has reduced the annual flow towards higher education. More than 40 per cent of 18-year-olds apply to university. Will that flow of students – and therefore money – continue over the next few decades? Britain is gambling a lot on the assumption that school-leavers will remain keen to spend their time and money on a three-year undergraduate degree. If that proves incorrect – and there are growing reasons to suspect it will – the consequences will be felt beyond our struggling universities. The latest official forecast is that 40 per cent of universities will run financial deficits this year. Talk of collapse and merger is commonplace. This has a simple cause: money out exceeds money in. It costs more to teach a British student for a year than that student pays in tuition fees. A £9,250 annual fee can feel huge to students and parents, but it's been frozen since 2017 so its real value has fallen by a third. Meanwhile, costs have risen. Science degrees can cost more than £11,000 a year to teach. For years, universities bridged this gap with foreign students, who can and will pay much higher fees. They now account for more than half of tuition income at many Russell Group universities. This was never a resilient business model and it recently collided with political reality. Labour, under pressure from Reform, has restricted visa rules for foreign graduates and plans a levy on universities' international fee income. Applications are already falling from countries such as Nigeria, and vice-chancellors are eyeing the big earners India and China nervously. The pros and cons of international students have been debated endlessly elsewhere, so I'll leave that to others. My interest here is in the bigger question of how many people will go to UK universities in the years ahead. For we have inadvertently built an HE system reliant on high and growing numbers of young students; without those numbers, there is trouble ahead. The UK is nearing the end of a demographic upswing in university applications – we had a small post-millennium baby-boom that peaked around 2012. But what happens after that wave peaks at the end of this decade? Even gloomy official forecasts for the future of the HE sector imply that student numbers will go on rising, powered by an apparently unshakeable appetite for the university experience among the young. HE policy sometimes feels like it is based on the idea that the next 30 years will look a lot like the last 30. The Government's Office for Students and the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies both see rising domestic and international enrolments as essential to keeping the system solvent into the 2030s. The admissions service Ucas confidently expects continued growth in applicants. It wouldn't take much deviation from the optimistic model to deliver disaster. A five per cent fall in 18-year-old applications or a 15 per cent drop in international recruitment could push dozens of universities into a full-blown crisis. Both are perfectly plausible, and not in the distant future. These icebergs could hit in the next parliament. Here, some readers might shrug: too many graduates, too many universities, too woke. But losing universities would have grave economic effects both local and national. These are major employers, export-earners and generators of high-productivity workers, engines of R&D and incubators of start-ups. The UK economy isn't so strong that we can afford to throw away a strategically important sector for cultural reasons. But readers cynical of the value of a modern degree do have a point, which is why our national bet on future 18-year-olds' behaviour is risky. For decades, graduates enjoyed a solid and persistent 'wage premium' over other workers but it is waning. In 2000, the typical graduate earned twice as much as a worker on the minimum wage. Now, the difference is barely 30 per cent. The gap later in life is narrowing too. And all that is before we know the full impact of AI on the job market. After all, 18-year-olds don't just go to uni for fun. They want graduate jobs and careers. So what happens if those jobs start to disappear? From finance to technology, firms that were big recruiters of graduates are cutting back, partly because a smart machine is quicker and cheaper than a smart 23-year-old. Many say demonstrable skills are more important than the generic credential of a degree. Adzuna, a job site, reckons graduate recruitment ads are down around a third since 2022. Can HE avoid the icebergs ahead? Only if it can change to fix a national failure that is scarcely discussed by politicians who prefer shallow cultural rows about universities. This failure is the collapse in adult learner numbers. Between 2010 and 2019, mature student numbers fell 22 per cent. Universities that used to educate people of all ages have been pushed by funding policies to become finishing schools for under-25s. That makes no sense in a time of 100-year lifespans and 60-year careers. Two of the biggest forces of this era are demographics – fewer young people, more old ones – and AI. Britain's university sector is not responding to either of them. Instead of betting the house on teenagers, institutions should be incentivised to become centres of lifelong learning: flexible, modular and open to people at every stage of their career. I'm glad I chose university 30 years ago: you wouldn't be reading this if I hadn't. Now, approaching 50 with maybe 20 years of work ahead of me, I hope I get another chance to make that choice.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Police encourage sign-up to missing veteran scheme
A police force is encouraging armed forces veterans and their families to sign up to a potentially "life-saving" safeguarding scheme . The Forcer Protocol was founded by Claire Lilly after her former husband, Lance Corporal Alan Forcer, from Hartlepool, took his own life in 2020. The scheme involves key information, such as a veteran's vulnerabilities and where they may be found if they go missing, being collected and held in advance so police have instant access in the event of a search. Northumbria Police has not disclosed how many veterans had already signed up to the scheme in the region but said 170 had done so nationally, adding it was a "really invaluable tool". The service is free and run independently from police with the provider Safe and Found Online. A variety of information can be held, including photographs, a physical description, any medical conditions, mobile phone numbers of the veteran and friends, vehicle details, whether they have gone missing before, and whether they pose a risk to themselves. Det Ch Insp Kevin Ashurst said the idea was "simple but critical" in supporting veterans who may be struggling, providing key information in "seconds". It helped with "golden hour principles", reducing the time taken to gather information before officers could respond, he said. "It's a really, really invaluable tool to help us find those missing persons quicker and more effectively." The scheme is being supported by charities including the Newcastle United Foundation, The Foundation of Light and Veterans in Crisis in Sunderland, along with the National Police Chiefs' Council, and has been adopted by a third of police forces in England. Veterans in Crisis founder Ger Fowler said it was now part of the charity's referral service. "It's a precaution to help those who may need it down the line," he said. "It can save so much time at the beginning. "When somebody goes missing, it can take an hour to find out some information. Now, with this, you can literally find out within seconds." Lance Corporal Forcer joined the Army at 16, serving in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, but struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse when he left the armed forces. Ms Lilly said: "He struggled for years but it means the world to me and Alan's children that we have a lasting legacy, that his life meant something and continues to." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@ Related Stories Police adopt scheme to find missing veterans Police sign up to scheme to trace missing veterans Ross Kemp backs police powers to find veterans Related Links Northumbria Police Forcer Protocol Veterans in Crisis Sunderland
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Northumbria Police encourages sign-up to missing veterans scheme
A police force is encouraging armed forces veterans and their families to sign up to a potentially "life-saving" safeguarding scheme .The Forcer Protocol was founded by Claire Lilly after her former husband, Lance Corporal Alan Forcer, from Hartlepool, took his own life in scheme involves key information, such as a veteran's vulnerabilities and where they may be found if they go missing, being collected and held in advance so police have instant access in the event of a Police has not disclosed how many veterans had already signed up to the scheme in the region but said 170 had done so nationally, adding it was a "really invaluable tool". The service is free and run independently from police with the provider Safe and Found Online.A variety of information can be held, including photographs, a physical description, any medical conditions, mobile phone numbers of the veteran and friends, vehicle details, whether they have gone missing before, and whether they pose a risk to Ch Insp Kevin Ashurst said the idea was "simple but critical" in supporting veterans who may be struggling, providing key information in "seconds". It helped with "golden hour principles", reducing the time taken to gather information before officers could respond, he said."It's a really, really invaluable tool to help us find those missing persons quicker and more effectively." The scheme is being supported by charities including the Newcastle United Foundation, The Foundation of Light and Veterans in Crisis in Sunderland, along with the National Police Chiefs' Council, and has been adopted by a third of police forces in in Crisis founder Ger Fowler said it was now part of the charity's referral service."It's a precaution to help those who may need it down the line," he said."It can save so much time at the beginning. "When somebody goes missing, it can take an hour to find out some information. Now, with this, you can literally find out within seconds." Lance Corporal Forcer joined the Army at 16, serving in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, but struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse when he left the armed forces. Ms Lilly said: "He struggled for years but it means the world to me and Alan's children that we have a lasting legacy, that his life meant something and continues to."
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Cumbrian mental health facility should be fully open by autumn
A NEW west Cumbrian mental health facility should be fully open by the autumn this year at the latest according to health chiefs. Members of Cumberland Council's health overview and scrutiny committee were given an update from Cumbria, Northumbria, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust at Allerdale House in Workington on Thursday (July 17). Ramona Duguid, the trust's chief operating officer, told members extensive arrangements were in place at Hope Haven, in Whitehaven, and it was hoped that the main building fully open and operational by September or October at the latest. She said that recovery and well-being drop-in sessions had been established and added that they had a 'huge impact on access to services'. Ms Duguid suggested that they could bring back a progress report to the committee in six to 12 months. James Duncan, the trust's chief executive, stressed that it was not a pilot scheme and added: 'This is something that will be sustained.' The report states: 'By the end of July Everyturn will be operating our Virtual Safe Haven Offer, telephone and online support. 'We will also be going live with our 'team of the day' which consists of staff from each of the partners CNTW, Home Group, Everyturn, The Well, Cumbria Health and iCan along with peer support being available to support all new referrals and wrap around existing service users who require immediate crisis support. 'The four short stay beds which will provide a robust alternative to admission will open at the beginning of August 2025. They will have 24/7 staff support from Home Group and Intensive Home-Based Treatment from the CNTW crisis team. 'The team will continue to work closely with the CNTW inpatient bed management team and also Lowther Street crisis beds to ensure the most appropriate bed is used to meet the individual needs.' According to the report there is also a Hope Haven on Wheels initiative which currently focusses on rural isolated areas within Copeland. The report states: 'This is a 15-week rolling programme which has reached into four areas of Copeland thus far with rural community venues booked and scheduled until October. 'iCan Wellbeing Group is working in collaboration with system partners to co-work/co-deliver sessions, as recruited staff come into post, Everyturn and Cumbria Health have joined thus far.'
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Councillors could have given support over proposed ward closure
COUNCILLORS could have offered support over the proposed closure of a west Cumbrian hospital ward if they had been 'kept in the loop', it has been claimed. Members of Cumberland Council's health overview and scrutiny committee were given a progress report from Cumbria, Northumbria, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust at Allerdale House in Workington on Thursday (July 18). In October 2024 it was reported that North-East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) announced that it was considering closing an adult mental health ward. Yewdale Ward, part of West Cumberland Hospital, was deemed too isolated from other mental health services and no longer fit for purpose, as it was a mixed sex ward. Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes (Maryport North, Labour) said the matter was brought before scrutiny too late and it would have been better if they had been 'kept in the loop' sooner. She added: 'I feel very sad about this and the community feels sad about this.' She said she hoped the situation worked out for the best but added: 'Because I will coming back to you.' Ramona Duguid, the chief operating officer with the trust, said there had not been a focus on mental health or disabilities and added: 'We do need to change that. We want to work together.' Councillor Martin Harris (Dearham and Broughton, Labour) asked what demand there was on the service and James Duncan, the trust's chief executive, it was 16 at any one time and it had remained constant over the years. He said that, if it was created as two wards, with eight male beds and eight female beds, it would be too difficult to staff. Councillor Jeanette Forster (Hillcrest and Hensingham, Labour) said she was not convinced by the new Hope Haven facility, which is due to open later this year, but accepted that Yewdale was not fit for purpose. She added: 'We will just have to go with it and see how it pans out.' Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said lessons had to be learned from what had happened but added that they would support the trust. Cllr McCarron-Holmes proposed that they write to the ICB highlighting that they were not involved sooner and the whole process could have been handled better. Councillor Helen Davison (Belah, Green Party) said it should be formalised with a letter and there should be proper engagement 'right from the start'. When it was put to the vote members agreed that they should write a letter to the ICB raising their concerns. According to the report in January 2025 the trust updated the committee on the position and next steps in relation to changes to service provision in west Cumbria. This included the development and investment in community and crisis services, Hope Haven, as well as the proposed changes to adult inpatient care, which had been subject to public engagement since November 2024. In April 2025 the board of directors reviewed the final Strategic Case for Change and: Approved that the engagement process completed on the proposals has been robust with the local community and staff; Agreed the case for change proposal for the re-provision of services from Yewdale Ward to Carlton Clinic in Carlisle; Agreed that further consultation on the proposals was not required.
