RTPI response to the Education Committee’s inquiry into Higher Education and funding: threat of insolvency and international students

In May 2025, the House of Commons Education Committee opened a series of mini-inquiries relating to higher education. The first of these inquiries concentrated on the urgent issues of threat of insolvency in the higher education sector and international students.

The RTPI submitted written evidence as part of this inquiry, addressing the points:

• How will current Government policies affect the financial stability of higher education institutions?
• How do higher education institutions contribute to growth in their local economies, the provision of public services, and their wider communities?
• What strategies should be implemented to prevent insolvency and ensure sustainable regional provision of courses?
• Looking forward: a vulnerable Higher Education sector, a fragile planning discipline.

You can read our written evidence in full on the Committee page here: committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/144691/pdf/