Degrees from the Open University (as mentioned in the article) are indeed recognised as equivalent. The OU has a Royal Charter and has the same level of quality

Degrees from the Open University (as mentioned in the article) are indeed recognised as equivalent. The OU has a Royal Charter and has the same level of quality assurance as any other UK university. From its inception in the '60s until a few years ago, all their lectures were broadcast on late night and Saturday morning TV, so anyone could watch high quality education for free well before the Internet.