Labour backs tuition fee rise

by Laura Brooks

Tuition fees could become one of the key battlegrounds of the next General Election after Labour supported a new proposal to raise tuition fees.

The new report from a cross-party group of MPs suggest students should pay up to £7,000 a year, up from the current maximum of £3,225.

The suggested change has been highlighted by Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, who indicated that the Government will consider lifting the current cap.

He believes increasing tuition fees will result in an improvement in courses and more one-to-one teaching for students.

"As students who go into higher education pay more, they will expect more and are entitled to receive more in terms not just of the range of courses but in the quality and experience they receive during their time in the higher education system," Mandelson stated.

Opposition views

The Conservative party was the first to suggest a rise in fees but only if university standards improve.

Conservative press officer Alan Sendorek agreed, telling Arts London News: "The Government need to assess the quality of education that students are receiving at present, because we do not believe it is of a high enough standard.”

In contrast, the Liberal Democrat party say they will scrap tuition fees altogether should they win the next election.

The rise in tuition fees is expected as part of the Government’s university fees review, which is not released until after next year’s election. David Willetts, Conservative education spokesman, is calling for the review to be a cross-party inquiry. He said that doing this will ensure that it is: “as open a process as possible.”

Student concern

Many universities across the UK back the fees proposal, but students are concerned. Some say they would drop out of their courses should the rise go ahead.

Harriet Kerry, 19, a first year student at London College of Fashion said: “I’d definitely leave if I had to pay that much a year. That’s too much debt – it would be more worthwhile to just get a job.”

James Lewis, 22, a second year student at South Bank University says he would “definitely not” have pursued his degree, had he been charged £21,000 for his three-year course. “I already think I'm paying too much," he said.