Britain's universities are under fire from all sides

When it rains, it poursTHERE are few things in which Britain can still claim to lead the world, but higher education is one. The country's grandest universities top global league-tables. They attract many of the world's best researchers, as well as students from every continent. The Department for Education found that income from foreign students and research contracts was worth 12.4bn ($20.6bn) in 2014. Yet, at a time of widening political division, politicians and pundits of all hues are united by a growing scepticism about universities.From the right, they are under fire for their opposition to Brexit. On October 24th it emerged that Chris Heaton-Harris, an MP and government whip, had written to all university vice-chancellors to ask for the names of professors 'who are involved in the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit'. Universities interpreted Mr Heaton-Harris's letter as a threat to academic freedom, and...Continue reading
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