Blair's 'retreat' on top-ups welcomed

Students believe they helped change views

Student leaders and some academics have welcomed signals from Tony Blair that the government does not plan to impose large top-up fees for university, to be paid upfront.

The idea was being seriously considered as a way of solving the university cash crisis.

But after a heated public debate, reports of a cabinet split and a massive demonstration by students on Wednesday, the government appeared to rule out making students pay much higher tuition fees upfront.

However, it is clear that students are still going to be asked to fund more of the costs of their education.

This could take the form of higher tuition fees which are paid back either through a loan or graduate tax.

B>No coincidence

The National Union of Students (NUS) which staged the demonstration in London, is pleased with the government's apparent change of heart - but is determined to press on with its campaign against increased fees and debt.

It believes its protest played a big part in the retreat.

"It is no coincidence that that the government has given its clearest indication that it won't bring in up-front top-up fees the day 20,000 people demonstrate," a spokesman said.

"The government now needs to clarify its position and give guarantees that there won't be any increased cost and debt."

Tony Blair on top-ups
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University teachers are also pleased about the signals from the government.

Sally Hunt, the general secretary of the Association of University Teachers (AUT) said: "We welcome what seems to be the final admission that the government has rejected both top-up fees and an increase in upfront tuition fees.

"Clearly, ministers have been shaken by the broad coalition - from students to lecturers - that has built up against these wholly unpopular ideas.

"The only fair and just way ahead now is for the government to look at options where the state invests properly in our universities and where students - if they are to be charged extra money - only make a contribution after they have graduated and are earning above average incomes."

Access to university

Some universities had been pressing the government to deregulate the sector to make them free to raise more money from students.

Many have remained silent on the issue, but others have spoken out against top-up fees, saying they would deter poorer youngsters from applying to university.

The government is committed to getting half of the eligible population into higher education by 2010.

Professor Derek Fraser, the chief executive of Teesside University, is pleased by the government's apparent change of heart.

He says Teesside, one of the new universities, has attracted many students from families with no previous involvement in higher education.

"I believe top-ups would inhibit access from the very people Mr Blair wants to attract," he said.

"The 50% target and top up fees are totally incompatible."

Sir Robin Butler, who's master of University College, Oxford, is less critical of the idea of up-front top up fees.

"We need a solution that helps universities and does not discourage brighter students from poor families," he told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.

"It would be essential that if there were top-up fees they would have to be accompanied either by means testing or a generous system of bursaries.

"If that happened it doesn't seem to me it would necessarily discourage students from poorer families."

Lord Butler is less keen on the idea of a graduate tax, which he says could be unfair and would discourage graduates from making donations to their old universities voluntarily.

A spokesman for Universities UK, which represents the chief executives of Britain's universities, said: "We welcome Tony Blair's comments, which indicate that the government has heard the views that high up-front fees will have potentially harmful effects on access and participation."

The government is due to announce its plans for university funding in January.