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Tuition fees: Poorest students to get year for free Tuition fees: Poorest students to get year for free
(about 11 hours later)
Thousands of university students from disadvantaged backgrounds could have their tuition fees paid for free for up to two years, ministers have proposed. Thousands of university students from poorer backgrounds could have their tuition fees paid for up to two years, ministers have proposed.
A government source said any student eligible for free school meals could get their tuition fees paid for a year.A government source said any student eligible for free school meals could get their tuition fees paid for a year.
And universities which charge more than £6,000 a year could be forced to pay such students' fees for a further year.And universities which charge more than £6,000 a year could be forced to pay such students' fees for a further year.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has accused the government of "cultural vandalism" over its planned rise in tuition fees. Labour described the coalition's plans to raise tuition fees as "cultural vandalism". MPs vote on Thursday.
The government believes up to 18,000 students a year could benefit from the new proposals - significantly increasing the numbers of children from poorer families going on to higher education. As MPs prepare for that vote - on whether to back government proposals to increase the cap in fees from £3,375 to £9,000 from 2013 - Lib Dem sources said it was still unclear which way their 57 MPs would go.
The party has come under intense pressure from students after promising to abolish tuition fees in its election manifesto. Leader Nick Clegg and all other Lib Dem MPs signed a pre-election pledge to vote against any rise.
The government believes up to 18,000 students a year could benefit from the new two-year proposals - significantly increasing the numbers of children from poorer families going on to higher education.
Cash for the scheme would come from the £150m National Scholarship Programme already announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable.Cash for the scheme would come from the £150m National Scholarship Programme already announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable.
'Not being straight''Not being straight'
Ministers will meet student representatives next week to consult them on the plans, which have strong backing from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.Ministers will meet student representatives next week to consult them on the plans, which have strong backing from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
He is understood to believe that students who received a year's free tuition are not only more likely to go to university, but also to aspire to Oxbridge places. He is understood to believe that students who received a year's free tuition are not only more likely to go to university, but are also more likely to aspire to go to Oxford or Cambridge.
Free school meals are available to families claiming certain benefits and are given to around 80,000 pupils in each school year.Free school meals are available to families claiming certain benefits and are given to around 80,000 pupils in each school year.
The Lib Dems have come under intense pressure from students after promising to abolish tuition fees in their election manifesto - and with Mr Clegg signing a pre-election pledge to vote against any rise. Despite efforts to bring them on board, more than 10 Lib Dem MPs have suggested they will vote against the plan while some others are considering abstaining.
There has been a recent wave of student demonstrations at Westminster and around the country by those opposing the rise. Amid reports of disagreements between senior Lib Dems over the issue, Mr Clegg told the href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/nick-clegg-no-apologies-no-regrets-no-shame-2151708.html" >Indpendent on Sunday he wanted everyone to vote for the rise "but we are not there yet" in terms of an agreed position.
The coalition government has proposed increasing the fees cap from £3,375 to £9,000 from 2013.
MPs will vote on Thursday, with Lib Dem sources saying it was still unclear which way their 57 members would vote.
Mr Clegg told the Independent on Sunday he wanted everyone to vote for the rise, "but we are not there yet".
"It's immensely frustrating to me to see a policy which lowers barriers of entry to university being portrayed as putting up barriers," he told the paper."It's immensely frustrating to me to see a policy which lowers barriers of entry to university being portrayed as putting up barriers," he told the paper.
'Brave and bold'
He added: "I believe in this policy. I really think we will look back in 10 or 15 years' time and think, actually that was quite a brave and bold and socially progressive thing to do."He added: "I believe in this policy. I really think we will look back in 10 or 15 years' time and think, actually that was quite a brave and bold and socially progressive thing to do."
And he accused the National Union of Students of "not being straight" about its own support for the graduate tax option.And he accused the National Union of Students of "not being straight" about its own support for the graduate tax option.
Conservative Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said what really mattered was that the government won Thursday's vote.
"The key thing is, does the government get its business [through Parliament]?" he told Sky News. "That is the only thing that matters."
He said he had not asked his Lib Dem pensions minister Steve Webb - said to be a potential rebel - how he would vote, adding that internal Lib Dem discussions about the issue reflected the fact "they were coming to terms with being in government".
'Cruel blow'
Days ahead of the vote, Labour leader Ed Miliband also took the opportunity to make his position on the issue clear.Days ahead of the vote, Labour leader Ed Miliband also took the opportunity to make his position on the issue clear.
Mr Miliband said the plans to increase fees would set back the cause of social mobility by a generation by persuading youngsters from poor families not to go to university. He said the plans to increase fees would set back the cause of social mobility by a generation, by persuading youngsters from poor families not to go to university.
Writing in the Observer, he said: "The proposals amount to a rejection of the long-standing recognition of our collective responsibility for higher education. Writing in the href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/dec/04/ed-miliband-student-fees-vandalism" >Observer, he said: "The proposals amount to a rejection of the long-standing recognition of our collective responsibility for higher education.
"Make no mistake - if this bill is voted through on Thursday, the government will deal a cruel blow to the chances of the next generation and betray the hopes of our young people.""Make no mistake - if this bill is voted through on Thursday, the government will deal a cruel blow to the chances of the next generation and betray the hopes of our young people."
The proposed increase does not apply in Scotland nor for students resident in Wales, wherever they chose to go on to study in the UK.The proposed increase does not apply in Scotland nor for students resident in Wales, wherever they chose to go on to study in the UK.