University fees to be capped

24 Oct 2010

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has confirmed that the government is minded to impose a 'cap' on university tuition fees, despite the recommendations of the Browne Review.

This should not surprise people (although it seems to have done). After all, as I wrote here on the 14th October, Vince Cable had already suggested to the House of Commons that he was considering a cap of £7,000. For some reason, few seemed to take notice of this part of his Commons statement.

This is what I write back on the 14th:

"The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has welcomed the Browne Review's proposal to lift the cap on university tuition fees.

In a Commons statement he said he accepted the 'broad thrust' of the proposals which were 'fair and affordable'.

However he said the government was 'hesitating' before accepting the recommendation that there should be no cap at all. He said he was 'cautious and careful' about the idea of 'unlimited fees'.

He added that the government was considering a fee level of £7,000.

The Business Secretary said the government would be open to suggestions over the 'next few weeks' before making specific recommendations to Parliament. The aim would be to implement any changes from Autumn 2012 for new students entering university from that date."

More on the effects of a market in university fees - and the consequences of following a US model - in my BBC analysis at: www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11520958