The OBR responds to HEPI on student numbers

In mid-July, I blogged on the seemingly ever-changing forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (or OBR) on future student numbers, which can be read here.
The OBR has treated that blog as a formal ‘request for further detail’. I wholeheartedly welcome their willingness to respond to my comments and their response can be read here: http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/wordpress/docs/Student-numbers-July-2015-Economic-and-fiscal-outlook.pdf.
But, while their clarification is welcome, it ignores the point that it would make sense for the OBR to start considering evidence from abroad (particularly Australia) when assessing the potential impact of the removal of student number controls on future student numbers, as well as to talk to higher education institutions about their current plans for the future. More...