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13/05/2003
Tories pledge to scrap university tuition fees
In a gentle change of tack over the past few weeks, the Conservative Party has taken the initiative and published a clutch of policies pledges – the foremost of which is today's plans to scrap university tuition fees and abandon entrance targets.
Under current government plans, universities will be able to charge up to £3,000 a year for undergraduate courses beginning in 2006. Labour has also announced that it wants to see 50% of school leavers to enter university by 2010.
However, shadow education secretary Damian Green pledged today that a Tory government would scrap both and so create "a fair deal for students and universities" by reducing the university sector into one "smaller, better focused, and open to all who deserve to be there". The Tories believe that the £700 million a year cost of the policy shake-up would be met by the abandonment of the government's plans.
He added: "Labour's university tuition fees are a tax on learning. They have let down hard-working families who want their children to get on, leaving young people with huge debts when they start work, and universities tied up in red tape."
Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the changes in higher education would be matched by an increase in vocational courses at schools.
"In Holland, for example, all schools train people to go to university as well as to be plumbers, electricians and builders. In this country we don't do any of that vocational training," he said.
The government's new university access regulator - Office for Fair Access - set up to fulfil Labour's five-year access pledges for universities would also go.
In an interview this morning, Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge said the plans would result in catastrophe.
"Abolishing all tuition fees will mean immediate terrible cuts in student numbers," she said.
"There would be 100,000 fewer students in our universities, and there would be 6,500 fewer lecturers whom we have recruited."
The policy was dismissed as a "belated gimmick" by Liberal Democrat shadow education secretary Phil Willis.
"The Tory approach to tuition fees comes at a price – less young people in our universities," he said.
"The Conservatives have failed to produce credible figures for the abolition of fees, and by limiting the number of students in higher education have denied future generations of poorer students an opportunity to access higher education.
"The glaring omission in Tory policy is the failure to provide a single penny to our universities to fund infrastructure and staffing needs."
(GMcG)
Under current government plans, universities will be able to charge up to £3,000 a year for undergraduate courses beginning in 2006. Labour has also announced that it wants to see 50% of school leavers to enter university by 2010.
However, shadow education secretary Damian Green pledged today that a Tory government would scrap both and so create "a fair deal for students and universities" by reducing the university sector into one "smaller, better focused, and open to all who deserve to be there". The Tories believe that the £700 million a year cost of the policy shake-up would be met by the abandonment of the government's plans.
He added: "Labour's university tuition fees are a tax on learning. They have let down hard-working families who want their children to get on, leaving young people with huge debts when they start work, and universities tied up in red tape."
Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the changes in higher education would be matched by an increase in vocational courses at schools.
"In Holland, for example, all schools train people to go to university as well as to be plumbers, electricians and builders. In this country we don't do any of that vocational training," he said.
The government's new university access regulator - Office for Fair Access - set up to fulfil Labour's five-year access pledges for universities would also go.
In an interview this morning, Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge said the plans would result in catastrophe.
"Abolishing all tuition fees will mean immediate terrible cuts in student numbers," she said.
"There would be 100,000 fewer students in our universities, and there would be 6,500 fewer lecturers whom we have recruited."
The policy was dismissed as a "belated gimmick" by Liberal Democrat shadow education secretary Phil Willis.
"The Tory approach to tuition fees comes at a price – less young people in our universities," he said.
"The Conservatives have failed to produce credible figures for the abolition of fees, and by limiting the number of students in higher education have denied future generations of poorer students an opportunity to access higher education.
"The glaring omission in Tory policy is the failure to provide a single penny to our universities to fund infrastructure and staffing needs."
(GMcG)
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05 September 2003
Blair argues case for top-up fees as ‘fairest’ option
Prime minister Tony Blair yesterday stood by his proposals to push through university top-up fees, as the alternatives would either unfairly penalise ordinary taxpayers or result in cuts in the number of university places.
Blair argues case for top-up fees as ‘fairest’ option
Prime minister Tony Blair yesterday stood by his proposals to push through university top-up fees, as the alternatives would either unfairly penalise ordinary taxpayers or result in cuts in the number of university places.
21 May 2003
Hodge defends tiered college fees plan
Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge today said that the government's plans for higher education "remain unchanged".
Hodge defends tiered college fees plan
Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge today said that the government's plans for higher education "remain unchanged".
20 August 2009
A-level Students Receive Results
Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results today, as it has been revealed that a record-breaking number of students have been awarded the top A grades. More than a quarter of students - 26.7% achieved an A, an increase of 25.9% from last year, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) revealed.
A-level Students Receive Results
Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results today, as it has been revealed that a record-breaking number of students have been awarded the top A grades. More than a quarter of students - 26.7% achieved an A, an increase of 25.9% from last year, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) revealed.
12 October 2010
Major Debt Ahead For Medical Students
Doctors’ leaders have warned ministers that increasing tuition fees could result in medical students facing a debt bill of potentially £100,000.
Major Debt Ahead For Medical Students
Doctors’ leaders have warned ministers that increasing tuition fees could result in medical students facing a debt bill of potentially £100,000.
08 July 2009
Fees For 'Stay-at-home' Students May End
Ministers are considering axing tuition fees for some students who would not be claiming grants or loans, it has emerged. The 'no fee degrees' - in which students in England would not pay tuition fees - would be aimed at university students living at home with their parents, allowing them to avoid mounting debts.
Fees For 'Stay-at-home' Students May End
Ministers are considering axing tuition fees for some students who would not be claiming grants or loans, it has emerged. The 'no fee degrees' - in which students in England would not pay tuition fees - would be aimed at university students living at home with their parents, allowing them to avoid mounting debts.
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