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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Review of student fees launched | Review of student fees launched |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The government's review of university tuition fees and student funding in England has been launched, to be chaired by Lord Browne of Madingley. | The government's review of university tuition fees and student funding in England has been launched, to be chaired by Lord Browne of Madingley. |
| The review has been told it must take into account the aim of widening participation in university and simplifying support for students. | The review has been told it must take into account the aim of widening participation in university and simplifying support for students. |
| The review will not publish its findings before the general election. | The review will not publish its findings before the general election. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson promised to consult "all who would be affected by any changes". | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson promised to consult "all who would be affected by any changes". |
| 'Balance of contributions' | 'Balance of contributions' |
| Lord Mandelson said students would be involved in discussions on funding - and the review would "examine the balance of contributions to universities by taxpayers, students, graduates and employers". | Lord Mandelson said students would be involved in discussions on funding - and the review would "examine the balance of contributions to universities by taxpayers, students, graduates and employers". |
| CURRENT FEES England: £3,225 p.a.N. Ireland: £3,225 p.a. Scotland: free to Scots, £1,775 to other UKWales: £1,285 to the Welsh, £3,225 to other UK Students from elsewhere in the EU pay the same as those locallyThose from outside the EU pay whatever the university charges | CURRENT FEES England: £3,225 p.a.N. Ireland: £3,225 p.a. Scotland: free to Scots, £1,775 to other UKWales: £1,285 to the Welsh, £3,225 to other UK Students from elsewhere in the EU pay the same as those locallyThose from outside the EU pay whatever the university charges |
| "Variable tuition fees provide institutions with a secure income stream worth £1.3bn, helping to sustain the long-term financial health and viability of the sector. | "Variable tuition fees provide institutions with a secure income stream worth £1.3bn, helping to sustain the long-term financial health and viability of the sector. |
| "Since they were introduced student numbers have continued to rise, along with the numbers coming from lower-income backgrounds. | "Since they were introduced student numbers have continued to rise, along with the numbers coming from lower-income backgrounds. |
| "This is an important piece of work which will require extensive consultation with all who would be affected by any changes, including current and potential students," he said. | "This is an important piece of work which will require extensive consultation with all who would be affected by any changes, including current and potential students," he said. |
| "I have discussed the review's membership and terms of reference with [Tory spokesman] David Willetts and we are both committed to ensuring the independent nature of this important piece of work." | "I have discussed the review's membership and terms of reference with [Tory spokesman] David Willetts and we are both committed to ensuring the independent nature of this important piece of work." |
| Lord Browne said: "The review comes at an important time and our task is a serious one: to make recommendations to secure the vitality of higher education in this country while ensuring that finance does not become a barrier to those who have the ability and motivation for further study." | Lord Browne said: "The review comes at an important time and our task is a serious one: to make recommendations to secure the vitality of higher education in this country while ensuring that finance does not become a barrier to those who have the ability and motivation for further study." |
| Lord Browne, a former BP chief executive, lead the review, with six other members - Michael Barber, Diane Coyle, David Eastwood, Julia King, Rajay Naik and Peter Sands. | |
| 'Stitch up' | |
| There have been warnings from students that this review must not be a "stitch up". | There have been warnings from students that this review must not be a "stitch up". |
| The National Union of Students has carried out a survey which it says shows there is little public sympathy for an increase in tuition fees. | The National Union of Students has carried out a survey which it says shows there is little public sympathy for an increase in tuition fees. |
| Student leaders say there should not be an assumption that higher fees are inevitable. | Student leaders say there should not be an assumption that higher fees are inevitable. |
| "There is a real danger that this review will pave the way for higher fees and a market in prices that would see poorer students priced out of more prestigious universities and other students and universities consigned to the 'bargain basement'," said NUS president, Wes Streeting. | |
| "This would be a disaster for UK higher education and must not be allowed to happen." |