Reform UK’s high-ranking member advocates for a decrease in university enrollment among young individuals, despite his own background of attending a prestigious educational institution. Zia Yusuf, a wealthy individual who previously served as the party’s chairman and now holds the position of head of policy, proposed the closure of certain universities.
Having attended an esteemed private boys’ school followed by the prestigious London School of Economics, Mr. Yusuf highlighted that several of the top universities globally are situated on secluded islands. He expressed concern over the significant student debt burden in the country and suggested a reduction in the number of university attendees and institutions, excluding Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
The businessman, who transitioned into a banking career 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 financial contributions. Criticizing former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair’s objective of sending half of young people to university, Mr. Yusuf aligned with Sir Keir Starmer’s emphasis on promoting apprenticeships.
Addressing the CBI’s annual conference in London, Mr. Yusuf questioned the sustainability of the current education system in terms of student debt amidst the rise of AI technology. He advocated for a reduced number of universities overall, focusing on maintaining the excellence of top-tier institutions.
His statements coincide with universities facing challenges such as declining student enrollment and financial constraints, leading to widespread job cuts. Collectively, universities have announced over 12,000 job redundancies within the past year according to data from the University and College Union.
A confidant of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Mr. Yusuf, who attended Dulwich College in London and studied at Hampton School on a partial scholarship, made his debut appearance at the CBI’s annual conference as the party seeks to attract support from the UK corporate sector.
Meanwhile, Reform UK is under pressure to launch an inquiry following the sentencing of Nathan Gill, the former party leader in Wales, to a 10-and-a-half year prison term for accepting bribes related to pro-Russia engagements. When questioned by the Mirror about potential investigations, Mr. Yusuf distanced himself from Mr. Gill, emphasizing that any wrongdoing by an individual should not tarnish the party’s reputation.