Tuition fees in England to be frozen for another year

University tuition fees in England are set to be frozen for another year under plans put forward by the Government.

The Department for Education (DfE) said a longer-term decision on cuts to fees would be delayed until the next Comprehensive Spending Review, meaning fees for undergraduates should remain at £9,250 a year for the 2021/22 academic year.

This move follows two years of fee freezes after the Augar report in 2019, which recommended that fees be capped at £7,500. Westminster said that the higher cap would ensure universities delivered “better value for students”.

The government outlined its plans for higher education reform in an interim report, which include making £2.5 billion available for technical qualifications for adult learners through the National Skill Fund, and the prioritising of funding for STEM subjects.

The interim report reads: “This gives reassurance to potential students that incentives are aligned to encourage courses with good job outcomes and reinforces the government’s commitment to safeguarding the UK’s high-quality research base.”

It did not address the Augar report’s recommendations to reduce fees or reform minimum entry standards, with the DfE stating that the pandemic means “now is not the right time to conclude the review in full”.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “These reforms are at the heart of our plans to build back better, ensuring all technical education and training is based on what employers want and need, whilst providing individuals with the training they need to get a well-paid and secure job.”

These reforms are at the heart of our plans to build back better, ensuring all technical education and training is based on what employers want and need, whilst providing individuals with the training they need to get a well-paid and secure job

– Gavin Williamson

British Chamber of Commerce director general Adam Marshall welcomed the plans to put the skills needs of businesses at the heart of further education.

He said: “As local business leaders look to rebuild their firms and communities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential to ensure that the right skills and training provision is in place to support growth,”

University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady said: “Sadly this interim response confirms that there will not be a radical change to the current system. The Westminster government is wasting an opportunity to make a real difference for students and institutions.”

Universities UK president Professor Julia Buckingham said: “Any reforms must be for the benefit of students, the economy and society and be backed by sufficient funding to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education which best suits their needs and aspirations.”

She believes enforcing minimum entry requirements is a “regressive move” that prevents students from less-privileged backgrounds from getting into university.

The fee freeze will have to be backed by Parliament in summer, although it is widely expected that the extension will go ahead.