The Government today announced that it is abolishing 192 public bodies, merging another 118 and substantially reforming a further 171. A question mark still hangs over the Student Loan Company (SLC) though, which is said to be ‘under consideration’.

In the announcement, the Government said that ‘proposals on the future of the Student Loan Company will be made in the White Paper on the future strategy for higher education to be published by the end of the year’. The SLC attracted criticism after thousands of students had to wait for delayed loan payments last year, but if Lord Browne’s higher education reforms are approved by Parliament, student loans will continue to be a key feature in university funding.

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills is also under consideration, with a complete review of its core functions due by the end of 2010. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will be retained ‘on grounds of performing a function which requires impartiality’.