H.E. BILL RECIPE FOR SOCIAL DIVISION & TWO TIER UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 15th Jan 2004

Commenting after his question to the Secretary of State in Education Questions today, Liberal Democrat Higher Education Spokesperson David Rendel MP said:

"The Secretary of State failed to answer my point that the Government is offering a bribe to poorer students to take up places at less prestigious universities.

"A poorer student opting for a Russell Group university would lose his £1500 grant, because it would have to be used to help pay fees. Poorer students can only keep that money if they go to poorer universities which do not charge the top-up fees.

"Contrary to the Prime Minister's statement yesterday that this is 'a prime example of the modern path to social justice', it is in fact a recipe for social division and a two-tier university system. Even if OFFA forces fee-charging universities to offer bursaries, these are unlikely to exceed the £1500 that poorer students would lose. If they do, then the universities would lose any benefit they would have gained from extra fee income."