ABSTRACT
However, during the 1970s general confidence in the educational system's ability to sustain growth or act as an agent of social policy waned and educational expenditure began to be treated in a similar way to other calls on government funds. The government had also honoured the Vice-Chancellor with a Knighthood in the 1986 New Year's honours list. The February 1983 White Paper on The Government's Expenditure Plans 1983/84 to 1985/86 caused further unease by stating that 'provisions for higher education beyond 1985/86 when the age groups will be falling is to be reviewed', and in April 1983 the DES duly produced its estimates of the Future demand for higher education in Great Britain. The University of Aston in Birmingham was badly hit by both sides of the government cuts in expenditure, and the senior management team of the university felt it necessary to act swiftly and decisively to reduce its own expenditure to the new limits and reach financial equilibrium.
