Commission to examine fees effects

An independent commission has been established to analyse the impact of higher tuition fees, particularly on students from less privileged backgrounds.

The four-member board was established in light of next year’s tuition fee increases, which will see the majority of UK universities charging the maximum fee of £9,000 per year, including Warwick University.

Hutton said: “It is incredibly important that we provide an independent check on the biggest reforms for higher education in a generation, particularly looking at what impact higher fees have on prospective students from less privileged backgrounds.”

Students’ Union Education Officer Sean Ruston was optimistic about the commission.

“It will be good as it will provide an impartial look at the changes and how they will affect social mobility, but I also hope that they will look at the wider impact of the changes.”

He commented that the Students’ Union could potentially work with the commission indirectly through the National Union of Students (NUS).

The University is withholding comment until more information is available.