Reform UK’s senior official advocates reducing the number of young individuals attending universities, despite his own education at a prestigious institution. Zia Yusuf, a wealthy figure who previously chaired the party and now leads its policy division, proposed the closure of certain universities.
Having attended a distinguished private boys’ school and later the renowned London School of Economics, Mr. Yusuf acknowledged the excellence of certain universities but emphasized the burden of student debt in the country. He expressed the opinion that there should be a decrease in university attendance and a reduction in the number of universities, particularly those heavily reliant on state funding.
The businessman, who pursued a career in banking at Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs post-graduation, warned universities that a potential Reform UK government would limit the enrollment of international students, despite their significant financial contributions. He criticized former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair for promoting a goal of half of young individuals attending university, a target that has since been abandoned by Sir Keir Starmer in favor of promoting apprenticeships.
During the CBI’s annual conference in London, Mr. Yusuf raised concerns about the sustainability of the current educational system, particularly in light of advancements in AI. He advocated for a reduced number of universities overall while maintaining the quality of top-tier institutions.
These remarks coincide with universities facing challenges such as declining student enrollments and financial constraints, leading to substantial job cuts across the sector. Mr. Yusuf, a key ally of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, highlighted the party’s outreach to the UK corporate sector at the CBI event.
Meanwhile, Reform UK is under pressure to investigate former Welsh party leader Nathan Gill, who received a lengthy prison sentence for accepting bribes related to pro-Russia activities. When questioned by the Mirror about potential investigations, Mr. Yusuf distanced himself from Gill and dismissed attempts to tarnish the party’s reputation based on Gill’s actions.