To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the National Union of Students on the implications of the Charities Act 2006 for plans by universities to integrate student unions into their own structures; and if he will make a statement. (125068)

I recently met with the National Union of Students and this was one of the issues they raised. We share the opinion of their legal advisers that, in almost all circumstances, a Student Union is separate from its parent university. I have raised this issue with Universities UK, the universities’ representative body, and they will be ensuring that their members are made aware of the NUS’ legal advice.