http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11510466


This is not going to help student numbers.

It might increase the "value" of degrees in the workplace though.

It's not as if student numbers are actually something we have to worry about. In fact, they're largely the problem.

Yes this will cut student numbers but won't this mean only the rich will be able to afford university?

That or foreign students. There were too many going to university any way and they were not up to the standards of the past. It is better that fewer go, but it should be down to merit and so free tuition for those who are truly gifted and qualify for means tested grants.

The rich and the poor (they'll get benefits and other help). People in the middle will be [LIFTED]...

Yes but a system of free education and means tested maintenance grants will benefit the middle classes as well. High tuition fees only allows the wealthier middle classes to go to university.

Entry into Uni should not be driven by money or class, it should be driven by academic ability (as it used to be), otherwise it's just a waste. The problem is that the exam system as it is has become so corrupted by political meddling that it's nigh on impossible to weed out the really bright students who will benefit most. Until that happens, we'll still end up with thousands of graduates who think that a degree in "media studies" will automatically open the door to a well-paid job.

They should all be bloody ashamed of themselves.

Benefited from free degrees themselves then pulling up the ladder even further than Labour.

Should be free to those who are able to benefit themselves and the country.They will recompense the counrty by service (eg teaching or doctor and nursing)or taxes.

This ahsa happy beneficiary of a full grant at the time who has paid back approx 1/2 million in tax over the years and now a parent of uni student.

I fully agree, it should be based on merit and ability. Though if your parents were rich enough to send you to private school then they should pay for university as well.

Yup, scrap the idea of everyone being entitled. They shouldn't be. You should get in on basis of merit, not class.

Funny, just as the Government says everyone has to tighten their belts they're going to increase the debt of individuals or just put people off altogether.

And who are left to implement any changes, oh that'll be a LibDem department. After this coalition I can see the LibDem party disapperaring unless they grow some balls in the meantime.

It would be interesting to see, if LibDem MPs abstain, how they could then implement new rules that they voted against.

IMO
Cut the number of places rather than raising fees.
People with the lowest grades don't get in. Two E's at A-level shouldn't be enough.

We had Clegg, the deputy PM, over the other day. It was all about the upcoming financial cutbacks* that'll be announced October 20th, and presumably trying to soften the blow since NI is so reliant on public sector jobs.

Anyway, the cabinet and it's ministers have all sorts of links to NI (like the NI secretary!), so why send Clegg? And you could speculate that it was known he'd get shouted down, as happened...

* NI was promised billions by Labour, essentially as part of the peace process - cuts would actually be breaking a legal agreement.

So are the Real IRA the new negotiators? maintain our subsidy or we blow up your conference.

Not when they're blowing up (or trying to) Tory friends and associates:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/audio/2010 ... land-banks