Top Up Fees will hit local students and families badly

12.00.00am GMT Tue 28th Jan 2003

In the wake of the government's announcement that it will allow universities to charge 'top up fee's of up to £3,000 on top of existing fees and charges, MP Vincent Cable expressed serious concern about the impact it would have on local families.

But he acknowledged that for the local university, St Mary's College, - a teacher training college - it would perhaps make only a small difference, "since these students will almost certainly have their fees rebated if they teach, at least in the state sector".

But he claimed that there were two main problems: "for the very rich fees are not a problem, nor for the poorest since they will get help. But children of middle income families will graduate with a large burden of debt from the top universities - probably £30,000 each."

"In the case of, say, science graduates wanting to work in the National Physical laboratory or other local centres of scientific excellence, they will have this debt superimposed on barely affordable mortgages."

"For women the problem is worse since they will have to repay the loans whether or not they take years out for bringing up children".

"The other big issue is the new access regulator. This new concept is alarmingly vague. It is supposed to ensure that more children from deprived backgrounds go to university."

"The aim is admirable and not in dispute; but the means are. If there is a quota system, candidates who qualify on merit may be turned down creating a real sense of injustice."

"If there is a bias given to certain post codes we may find that well qualified local applicants from families that are not at all advantaged are turned away because Twickenham doesn't have any 'deprived' areas amongst its post codes."

"I can see this generating a lot of bitterness".