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We need to ask whether the ministerial decision was legitimate i.e. did they go through an equality impact assessment (EQIA)of the policy or the change therein? Or if this consultation process is a part of the EQIA we can ask if they have (bothered) to consult with any group that may be adversely impacted, this is assuming that they went through a 'screening' stage! Although looking at their website (http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2004/04_37/ )they have a good practice guide to conducting an EQIA. The foreword read" HEFCE is fully committed to promoting equal opportunities in higher education, and to helping universities and colleges meet their duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000." and "It aims to show not only how impact assessments can be carried out in the higher education context, but also how such assessments can improve mechanisms for policy review and for embedding equality and diversity into all the institution's activities." I agree that this requires a co-ordinated response, particularly (cynically!!) if they are not to brush this under the carpet and are find out if they are serious about embedding equality and diversity into all of THEIR activities. Phew!! got that off my chest. Kind regards, Dipen Dipen Rajyaguru LL.B (Hons) Health Equality & Diversity Specialist Barnet PCT 020 8937 7709 -----Original Message----- From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Deborah Viney Sent: 05 November 2007 14:31 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: HEFCE Circular on ELQ's: impact on students from minority groups Hi Alex I think that it would be good to have a co-ordinated response from HEEON / ECU or whoever! In my view this will certainly hit some disabled people quite hard: two groups are most obvious: 1. those who have recently become disabled (or have increased impairment) and can no longer do their original work, so they wish to re-train 2. those who study because they are unable to find work and like to keep busy I'm sure there will be effects too for older people (e.g. studying "for fun" in retirement) and others too regards, Deb Deb Viney Diversity Advisor, SOAS Email [log in to unmask] Tel 0207 074 5007 -----Original Message----- From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alexandra Muir-Mackenzie Sent: 05 November 2007 11:53 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: HEFCE Circular on ELQ's: impact on students from minority groups Dear colleagues Following a ministerial decision, HEFCE have recently published a consultation circular about the withdrawal of funding for students with equivalent or lower qualifications. This change in policy will mean that HEFCE funding is withdrawn for students taking a qualification at an equivalent or lower level than the one they have already, for example no funding for people taking a postgraduate taught course in a different subject in order to retrain if they have already studied at this level. The change in policy will come into place from academic year 2008/09 and will affect all categories of new Home/EU HEFCE fundable students - full-time, part-time, undergraduate and postgraduate. The HEFCE circular can be seen at http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2007/07_27/ This new policy is bad news for universities - the Open University - the hardest hit - will lose approximately £30m per annum. We have no real way of challenging this ministerial decision, except that the final question of the HEFCE consultation document (consultation question 7) asks whether the ELQ policy is likely to have a differential impact on students, depending on their gender, race, disability etc. We will be responding to the consultation and intend to say something about the prejudicial impact of this policy, for example on women seeking to retrain following a career break, or disabled people seeking to retrain to allow them to move into an occupation where their impairment or condition can be more easily accommodated etc. Any thoughts out there on how to build this case? Regards Alex Alexandra Muir-Mackenzie Equality & Diversity Adviser University of Portsmouth Tel: (023) 9284 5039