Rebel Labour MP in fees u-turn

Martin Salter MP says those against fees must continue negotiating

A Berkshire Labour MP who said he would vote against university top-up fees will now back the prime minister in Tuesday's Commons vote.

Martin Salter, MP for Reading West, was set to vote against the fee plans, which he believes are unfair to his constituents who suffer high-cost housing without London wages.

His U-turn came after extra concessions were offered by Education Secretary Charles Clarke.

These included ministers pledging to examine his concerns during the committee stage of the bill.

I cannot see the point in handing (Tory leader) Michael Howard a huge political gift-wrapped present over an issue about which he has absolutely no clue what to do Martin Salter MP

Other concessions included an independent review of top-up fees three years after their introduction and a pledge to give legal force in preventing fees rising above £3,000 per year until after at least two general elections.

He told the BBC: "In my constituency in Reading we've got very high house prices, we haven't got the benefit of London wages - although though we've got London prices - and the definition of what is a poor family is substantially higher than in other parts of the country where housing costs are lower.

"That says to me that the threshold for the payment of the full maximum maintenance grant, of some £3000, needs to be a bit higher than the £16,000 that's on offer at the moment.

'Don't kill the bill'

"I've made that case to ministers, I've made that case to the prime minister personally and they've said to me they are happy to examine that during the committee stage of the bill.

"We should continue negotiating, we should continue campaigning for more improvements.

"That means we don't kill the bill on Tuesday - it means we seek to improve it during committee.

"I cannot see the point in handing (Tory leader) Michael Howard a huge political gift-wrapped present over an issue about which he has absolutely no clue what to do."