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The article reports that an education bill is unlikely to be part of the British Parliament's session in 2016. Topics discussed include minister for government policy Oliver Letwin considering introducing education reforms as secondary legislation instead of as a fresh Act of Parliament, the implication of the absence of a legislative bill for the plan to merge the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Fair Access and the effects of Letwin's proposal on tuition fees.

The author comments on the British government's White Paper which proposes reforms in higher education including liberalization, and empowering fee-paying students.

The article discusses reactions to the British government's White Paper on higher education. The White Paper proposed to make one in four student places to contestable between competing higher education institutions in 2012-2013. Some experts believe that the government's proposed reform could compromise the quality of higher education via downward pressure on fees. Others argue that there could be a polarization of the higher education sector.

The article discusses a report released in November 2011 by the British Parliament's Business, Innovation and Skills Committee about the government's higher education reforms. The delays to the higher education White Paper were criticized in addition to concerns over how reforms may affect poorer students' access to higher education. Doubts were also expressed regarding the extent to which access agreements will enhance social mobility.

The article discusses the reassurance sought by the Charity Commission from the British government that its higher education reforms will not set an alarming precedent by removing protections that safeguard the charitable status of universities. The Charity Commission says that it is concerned about speculation that the higher education White Paper opens the possibility for universities to convert to non-charitable for-profit status. The terms of the law governing charities are also discussed.

The author discusses the Green Paper, a tentative government report and consultation document of policy proposals for debate and discussion, committed by universities and science minister Jo Johnson in Great Britain. Topics include higher education legislation in the country, educational reform, and the proposes legislation which will become as a Christmas tree bill.

This section offers news briefs on higher education in Great Britain as of October 6, 2011. Geoffrey Crossick has announced his plan to resign as vice-chancellor of the University of London in England. The Royal College of Psychiatrists reveals that many students who are suffering from mental health problems failed to receive help. A letter was signed by 40 university chaplains criticising the government white paper on higher education reforms.