The review, which will be announced today, was promised by the Government when £3,000 a year top up fees were introduced in 2004. NUS’ warning comes as a new poll, commissioned by pressure group Compass, reveals that:
- 71% of the general public think that students should be represented on the core review group;
- Only 30% of the general public think that businesses should be represented on the group;
- Only 12% want the group to even consider raising the cap on fees;
- 81% want the group to meet in public.
NUS President Wes Streeting said:
“This poll shows that the public will not stand for a cosy stitch-up on university fees. At a time of economic crisis, when many hard working families are struggling to support their offspring through university, a hike in fees is the last thing we need.
“Students are already leaving university with record levels of debt, and it would be totally unacceptable to fill the panel with people who are either Government patsies or predisposed to higher fees.
“Little over a month ago, the CBI called for a rise in fees, and polls have found that most university vice chancellors would like to charge students £5,000 or more a year. Left to their own devices, behind closed doors, these two groups would only come to one conclusion: that students and their families should be bled dry for their own financial benefit.”
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