Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (1 October) commented on the government's decision to freeze tuition fees at their current level.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

"MillionPlus called for a review of the higher education fees and funding regime before the June election and we welcome the fact that the Prime Minister has recognised that there are problems with the system.

"However, today's announcement raises a number of questions and does not address crucial issues about the long term sustainability of university funding or the support that students receive while they are studying.

"While the freeze on tuition fees will be welcomed by future students, it is not clear how universities will remain fully funded in future as costs rise, particularly bearing in mind there has been no government funding for arts, social science, humanities or computer science subjects, to name a few, since 2012.

"Financial hardship is the main cause of students leaving university before they have completed their course. It is therefore disappointing that the government has not seen fit to restore maintenance grants, which were abolished completely for new students beginning studies in 2016.

"There must now be an external review of fees and funding and not just an internal review conducted by Ministers."
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts
3. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk