University chiefs applaud fees vote

Universities were relieved to see the fees proposals being accepted by MPs

University chiefs have welcomed the defeat of a backbench rebellion against proposals to increase tuition fees.

The government's narrow victory in the debate over tuition fees was hailed as a "landmark" by the vice-chancellors' representatives, Universities UK.

Ivor Crewe, president of Universities UK, said accepting the fees plan was a "critical point for the future of higher education".

The proposals allow universities in England to charge students up to £3,000 per year.

'Boldness'

Universities have argued in favour of the tuition fees proposals as a way of tackling what they say is a substantial funding shortfall.

I'm extremely pleased that attempts to derail this vitally important Bill have not succeeded Sir Richard Sykes, Imperial College London

As such, Universities UK said that it is "delighted" by the result, which it is claimed will bring universities an extra £1bn each year.

The most prestigious universities, members of the Russell Group, have been among the most enthusiastic supporters of the proposals, as they argue that they are starved of the funds needed to compete with universities overseas.

These include Imperial College London - and its rector Sir Richard Sykes said that he was "extremely pleased that attempts to derail this vitally important Bill have not succeeded".

Sir Richard praised the government for its "boldness" and for "meeting its critics head-on".

Oxford University's vice-chancellor, Sir Colin Lucas, also welcomed the government's success in winning the vote over tuition fees.

'More compromises'

But he warned that there was still a long way to go before universities were sufficiently well funded.

"The gap between the public funding that universities receive to teach our students and the true cost of that education has been growing for far too long," said Sir Colin.

The vice-chancellor of Exeter University, Steve Smith, also expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the vote.

"This is a good day for higher education. It will bring long overdue investment to our universities. We will be able to improve facilities for students, invest in research and reward and retain our staff better."

Exeter University had promised to introduce a bursary scheme worth £4,000 for poorer students if the government's fees package was adopted.

There have been university heads who have been critical of the plans to introduce variable, higher fees, including the vice-chancellor of the University of East London, Michael Thorne.

But Professor Thorne predicted that there would be "more compromises ahead" as the bill progressed. And he said there were aspects of the proposals which represented a better deal for students - such as replacing up-front fees with repayment after graduation.

The lecturers' union, the AUT, remained opposed to the proposals, saying that the passing of the Higher Education Bill was a "dark and depressing moment for academics and senior support staff in our universities".

The union's general secretary, Sally Hunt, said that "variable top-up fees will mean that the average lecturer will start their career with student debts higher than their entire salary".