Jo Johnson has lower back to his former short as universities, and technological know-how minister after his brother Boris Johnson took over as top minister and appointed a brand new ministerial group. Mr Johnson left the publish in January 2018 beneath former prime minister Theresa May, after opposing her plans to introduce a first-rate overview of put up-18 training. In the end, they resigned from authorities entirely so one can voice support for a 2d EU referendum. He replaces Chris Skidmore, who had served as university and technological know-how minister considering that 2018, and will attend the cupboard.
In his time outdoor government, Jo Johnson continued to be a vocal opponent of the Augar evaluation. Its tips that university training charges be reduced to £7,500, with substitute public funding weighted in the direction of excessive-value topics or people with the finest “social and financial value.” His go back to authorities will make him an influential pressure in opposition to implementation of the assessment’s guidelines on better schooling funding, at the same time as universities will even welcome his return given his campaign for the go back of put up-look at paintings visas.
Gavin Williamson has been appointed education secretary and Andrea Leadsom business secretary, as new top minister Boris Johnson purged opponents of a no-deal Brexit from his Cabinet. The former schooling secretary, Damian Hinds, and the previous business secretary, Greg Clark, each exited their posts on 24 July after Mr Johnson became top minister in advance inside the day, amid a dramatic cull of ministers who served beneath his predecessor, Theresa May.
Mr. Williamson, a former defense secretary, and leader whip, takes over at the Department for Education. In contrast, Ms. Leadsom takes the helm at the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, which is answerable for studies coverage and investment. Mr. Hinds had provided little in the way of contributions on better education coverage until a flurry of interventions – inclusive of universities’ complaints on unconditional offers and placing in motion a assessment of admissions – ahead of the guide of the Augar evaluate.
He has been understood to be a supporter of the Augar evaluation. A new high minister and Cabinet greater inclined to countenance a no-deal Brexit might be alarming prospects for universities, which worry the consequences of the sort of flow, in phrases of huge-ranging effect on their operations and in particular elements including doubtlessly finishing their hopes of taking element inside the EU’s studies program after Brexit.
