The University of Kent and the University of Greenwich have joined forces to create the London and South East University Group (LASE), the UK’s first "super-university." This new institution combines resources from four campuses in London, Medway, and Kent, offering education to over 50,000 students. The merger is intended to tackle the growing Neets crisis, a term used to describe young people who are not in employment, education, or training. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that around 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were classified as Neets between April and June, a number that has not decreased in the past year. Professor Jane Harrington, vice-chancellor of the University of Greenwich and chief executive of LASE, said the merger allows the group to better meet the needs of local communities, particularly in areas affected by urban, rural, and coastal deprivation. She emphasized the importance of helping young people gain new skills and highlighted the value of working with further education colleges to create accessible learning opportunities. This move comes at a time of increasing financial strain on UK universities, with concerns over potential closures due to financial difficulties. The higher education sector has been under pressure, with warnings from the Education Committee about the risk of an English university closing due to insolvency. The Office for Students, the regulatory body for higher education in England, has noted that 24 universities could face financial collapse within the next year, and nearly half of all higher education providers may face budget shortfalls by 2025/26. Professor Harrington acknowledged additional challenges, including a decline in international student numbers, rising living costs, and potential increases in student fees. A new international student levy, set to begin in 2028-29, will also add £925 per student annually to university budgets. Despite these difficulties, she believes the merger will improve LASE’s financial stability. LASE is currently developing a "blueprint" for the Department for Education, aiming to serve as a model for other universities considering similar mergers. After their legal merger last month, both universities will continue to operate under their existing names, with students still applying to and graduating from their chosen institution. However, the new structure allows for greater collaboration, enabling the group to offer courses that neither university could provide alone, while also sharing resources such as libraries and student support services. In a similar development, King’s College London and Cranfield University, located in Bedford, have announced plans to merge in August 2027, signaling a growing trend of universities exploring strategic partnerships to address financial and educational challenges.