Failure to agree on tuition fees would be devastating

In his keynote address to UUK’s higher education funding debate in central London, Professor Smith outlined the key issues that MPs and Peers must consider as they prepare to make a decision on fees.

Also speaking at the debate was Lord Browne of Madingley, whose independent review into university funding, published last month, recommended lifting the cap on tuition fees in England. This will be Lord Browne’s first major public appearance on the matter since the government responded to his report on 3 November.

Professor Smith said: “The economic environment has led to an unpalatable choice between increasing the graduate contribution or cutting student numbers. Cutting student numbers would do more harm to social mobility than an increased graduate contribution with a progressive repayment mechanism, and more maintenance support for students from low-income backgrounds.

“We understand the concerns raised since the publication of Lord Browne’s review and the spending review announcement. UUK has consistently opposed disproportionate cuts to the higher education budget. Our support for the Government proposals is therefore only conditional upon a long-term commitment to public investment in higher education.”

Professor Smith will also expressed his concerns around the need to clarify urgently the situation for future students, their families, and universities themselves.

“Students, families and universities all deserve to know as soon possible what the Government is planning for higher education,” Professor Smith said. 

“The Government’s White Paper may now not be published until March 2011, which for some issues is simply too late for universities. For example, we need to know what the Government is planning for student numbers as soon possible. Many students were unable to get a place at university this summer and we obviously want to avoid this happening again.

“We also need urgent clarification on which subjects the Government considers to be a priority for public funding and what the future holds for widening participation schemes, in which universities have invested so much.”