Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
On 18 November 2013, I announced that I had asked Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Vice Chancellor of Aberdeen University, to chair a Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance Arrangements in Wales.
The Review Panel commenced work in April this year and has been making good progress. I am grateful to all those who have contributed to the Review so far, and to the political parties in the Assembly who have provided constructive support in establishing this Review and putting forward nominees for the Panel.
The Panel is gathering and evaluating available data, research and other evidence in order to inform its deliberations. As an independent Review, it is vital that the Panel hears the views of key stakeholders on higher education funding and student finance arrangements. I am pleased to announce, therefore, that the Panel is now launching a Call for Evidence, which will be available on the Welsh Government website.
I would encourage anyone with an interest in student finance and the HE funding system to take this opportunity to respond to the Call for Evidence, which will run until the 27 February 2015. The Panel will give careful consideration to all responses, which will also form part of the factual summary of evidence on which the Panel will report next autumn. The Panel's final report and recommendations will be submitted by September 2016.