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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Call for free degrees for jobless | Call for free degrees for jobless |
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| People made unemployed by the recession should be allowed to enrol on part-time degree courses for free, says a think tank representing new universities. | People made unemployed by the recession should be allowed to enrol on part-time degree courses for free, says a think tank representing new universities. |
| Million+ says fees paid by part-time students are "a barrier they should not have to face". | Million+ says fees paid by part-time students are "a barrier they should not have to face". |
| It is urging the government to provide the funding to enable fees to be waived for those on job seekers allowance or short-time working. | It is urging the government to provide the funding to enable fees to be waived for those on job seekers allowance or short-time working. |
| The government said it was spending £4.7bn on developing the workforce. | The government said it was spending £4.7bn on developing the workforce. |
| Million+, which represents new universities across the UK, says allowing some people to enrol on higher education courses for free would cost the government £400m, but would bring in revenue of £523m. | |
| Unemployed people who go on to gain a degree could stand to gain in excess of £95,000 over their working lives, the think-tank estimates. | Unemployed people who go on to gain a degree could stand to gain in excess of £95,000 over their working lives, the think-tank estimates. |
| It says Jobcentre Plus should provide the scheme as part of a range of options available to those affected by the recession. | It says Jobcentre Plus should provide the scheme as part of a range of options available to those affected by the recession. |
| Prospects | Prospects |
| Part-time higher education students must currently pay fees up-front, whereas full-time students re-pay them after graduating. | Part-time higher education students must currently pay fees up-front, whereas full-time students re-pay them after graduating. |
| This is because part-timers were excluded from the system of loans and grants created by the 2004 Higher Education Act. | This is because part-timers were excluded from the system of loans and grants created by the 2004 Higher Education Act. |
| Around 40% of students are studying part time, the vast majority of whom are over 21. | Around 40% of students are studying part time, the vast majority of whom are over 21. |
| Some have their fees paid by their employers, and institutions may waive fees at their discretion. | Some have their fees paid by their employers, and institutions may waive fees at their discretion. |
| But there are no regulations concerning how much institutions can charge for part-time courses. | But there are no regulations concerning how much institutions can charge for part-time courses. |
| Million+ says its scheme would support government objectives regarding investment to meet the economy's future needs, and would encourage older students to apply. | Million+ says its scheme would support government objectives regarding investment to meet the economy's future needs, and would encourage older students to apply. |
| Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of Million+, said: "If the UK is to avoid a cycle of long-term unemployment, the government will have to look beyond short training courses if it is to improve the re-employment prospects of those with lower qualifications." | Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of Million+, said: "If the UK is to avoid a cycle of long-term unemployment, the government will have to look beyond short training courses if it is to improve the re-employment prospects of those with lower qualifications." |
| This week, the jobless total in the UK passed two million for the first time since 1997, and the jobless rate jumped to 6.5% in January. | This week, the jobless total in the UK passed two million for the first time since 1997, and the jobless rate jumped to 6.5% in January. |
| Jobseekers' allowance varies according to age, but a single person over the age of 25 would be entitled to a maximum of £60.50 per week. | Jobseekers' allowance varies according to age, but a single person over the age of 25 would be entitled to a maximum of £60.50 per week. |
| A spokesperson for England's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said the government was providing extra money which would create a further 75,000 training places in colleges, and 35,000 apprenticeships over the next year. | |
| "We know that the route to long-term recovery is investing in the development of our workforce which is why the government is spending £4.7bn on adult skills this year and has put in place a substantial package of additional training." | "We know that the route to long-term recovery is investing in the development of our workforce which is why the government is spending £4.7bn on adult skills this year and has put in place a substantial package of additional training." |