Free-market fees on the horizon

It has emerged that the cap on top-up fees for university students is likely to be removed.

The government’s Browne Review of tuition fees was recently leaked to the Times, and reports suggest that it is likely to recommend removing the current £3,225 cap. If the review’s recommendations are implemented, fees could rise by £1,000 every year from 2013. The cost of a science degree could rise to £14,000 while leading research universities could charge students up to £7,000 a year for other degrees.

The review is named after its chair, Lord Browne, the former chief executive of BP. Browne, appointed by former Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, is reportedly a firm believer in free-market education. According to some sources he wants to create a system whereby universities will be able to charge students for the full amount it costs to run a degree. His committee is expected to portray such a move as promoting social justice, as some panel members believe it is unfair that the taxpayer should have to subsidise families on middle and higher incomes. Universities would be able to increase tuition fees well above the inflation rate each year.

Wes Streeting, President of the National Union of Students has strongly opposed the proposal, claiming that a removal of the cap would be a “nightmare scenario.”

A spokesperson for the Browne Review told the Guardian: “The review’s call for proposals is still open and the review has certainly not come to any conclusions yet.”

The prospect of a significant increase in tuition fees has alarmed many students. First year politics student Joseph Haigh commented, “It’s obviously very disappointing that top up fees look set to increase, especially as it is the Russell Group [of which Warwick is a member] who have proposed it, and it is deeply embarassing, yet, perhaps, not altogether surprising that our own chancellor has supported these measures, as he has done on previous occasions in his role in the CBI.

“It is also disappointing that the Lib Dems as part of the coalition government have not fought harder for a concession from the Conservatives with regards to establishing some kind of cap on fees in accordance with their manifesto pledges.

“It is my belief that everyone should have equal access to education, regardless of financial background or class and it is concerning that government is taking the dangerous step back to a domain in which a university education is the preserve of the privileged few. Difficult times lie ahead.”

Students’ Union Welfare Officer Sami Wannell said it is “outrageous that people should have been able to vote without knowing the stance on fees of the three main political parties.” Members of Browne’s panel had refused to state a policy on tuition fees in advance of the election. Andrew O’Brien of Warwick Conservatives, when asked to respond to the likely recommendations of the forthcoming review, said: “I cannot comment as there is not enough information. However, the Conservative Party wants to increase social mobility in higher education.”

With a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, it is unclear to what extent the Lord Browne review will influence decisions on fees. The Conservatives have already indicated a preference for spending cuts rather than higher taxation but have promised to protect expenditure on the NHS, policing and education.

The Liberal Democrats will be able to abstain on any votes concerning an increase in tuition fees. They are opposed to the tuition fee system but have not said how they would replace it. It remains to be seen whether the Lib Dems would fracture the coalition just to defend university education.

In the current economic situation in Europe and our own government debt standing at over £160 billion, the coalition will be under enormous pressure to implement a harsh austerity package including cuts in university education. Further potential measures include increasing the interest on student loans and cutting the number, variety and length of degree courses.