Oxford to pay for TV?
In an attempt to defuse a rebellion by Labour MPs over top-up fees, the government have pledged a major financial redistribution plan across the HE sector.
Up to a third of the proposed £3000 charge could go towards a national bursary scheme to subsidise poorer students elsewhere.
But Cambridge MP Anne Campbell said that up to 100 MPs including several ministers have revealed their intention to support her 'alternative package'. Under her plan, tuition fees would rise from £1,125 to about £2000 across the board, a move she claims would prevent the creation of a two-tier university system.
The new bursary scheme has also caused anger amongst those universities thought most likely to introduce extra charges. Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College London, complained that they would "instead be forced to finance tin-pot universities".
13th Nov 2003