Lib Dems call on Government to resist growing pressure for university fees increase

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Jun 2009

Newcastle East Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Greg Stone has warned the Government to resist pressure to hike student tuition fees ahead of a review later this year. The issue is likely to be a significant one in the constituency which has one of the highest student populations of any in the country.

The warning comes as the head of the 1994 Group of universities, which includes Durham University, called for the current £3100 annual cap on tuition fees to be raised along with interest rates on student loans which currently stand at 1.5%. Earlier this year the Universities UK group called for tuition fees to be more than doubled to £6500.

Greg Stone said "As a former university funding manager I understand that there are pressures on British universities to maintain competitiveness against international rivals, but I am very concerned that there is a concerted lobby to increase fees at a time when students and parents already face serious financial pressure and a less than buoyant graduate job market".

"There is growing concern that the Government will seek to increase the burden on students as doubts grow about the Government's ability to cover public spending commitments. It is already anticipated that 30,000 young people will miss out on university places this year due to the Government introducing a cap of 10,000 extra places. I am also alarmed that university vice-chancellors are calling for student loans to be made more expensive."

"There is a legitimate debate to be had about how many university places should be funded and at what cost, and a careful balance must be struck between the interests of the economy, the taxpayer, the universities, and students. However I am concerned that the growing clamour to increase fees is likely to significantly increase financial pressure on students and will ultimately lead to more young people being unable to afford to go to university."