With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

Amendment 56, in clause 20, page 24, line 16, at end insert—

“(6A) The OfS must consult the higher education sector before determining a minimum level in relation to a measure of student outcomes.”.

This amendment requires the OfS to consult the higher education sector before determining minimum levels.

Amendment 57, in clause 20, page 24, line 17, leave out “not”.

This amendment requires the OfS to determine and publish different levels to reflect differences in student characteristics, different institutions or types of institution, different subjects or courses, or any other such factor.

Amendment 58, in clause 20, page 24, line 23, leave out “or subject being studied”.

This amendment is intended to probe the OfS’s powers of intervention at subject level.

Amendment 55, in clause 20, page 24, line 24, at end insert—

“(7A) When making decisions of a strategic nature in relation to a measure of student outcomes, the OfS must have due regard to the potential impact on the participation in higher education of students from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.”.

This amendment seeks to ensure that the OfS’s measure of student outcomes does not jeopardise widening participation for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

Amendment 59, in clause 20, page 24, line 28, at end insert—

“(8A) The OfS must work together with the devolved authorities to minimise the potential for different assessments of the quality of higher education with a view to protecting the United Kingdom’s higher education sectors’ international reputation.”.

This amendment probes the impact that moving the English higher education sector out of line with the UK Quality Code will have upon the coherence and consistency of UK quality assessment and the UK’s HE sectors’ international standing.