John Baron MP votes for increased tuition fee cap

MP receives assurances over participation rate monitoring and funding

Yesterday, John Baron MP voted with the Government to allow universities to increase the tuition fees cap. John had received assurances from Ministers both in private meetings and during the debate that participation levels from lower and middle income families would not fall as a result of fee increases, and that the Government would monitor this in future on an annual basis rather than the present five yearly cycle.

During the debate John asked the Secretary of State, Vince Cable:

“ My concern is that by increasing the tuition cap, participation levels amongst low and middle income students will fall away. What assurance can the Government give that the situation will be monitored closely and that corrective action will be taken should participation levels fall away?”

In response, Vince Cable said that he could give John that assurance for the policy will be monitored and will reflect the evidence that emerges. He highlighted that a series of measures have been put in place not only to protect low income graduates through the threshold, but also to help children from low income families to go to university by increasing the maintenance grant from its levels under the previous government, thereby giving access to an extra 500,000 pupils.

John said afterwards:

“ The evidence suggests that participation levels rose after fees were last increased because they were supported by loans and grants. Many cash strapped universities welcome these reforms as a means of promoting a successful and diverse education sector. With money now following students, I expect to see a greater number, variety, and flexibility of courses to emerge.”

“By increasing the income threshold for repayment from £15,000 to £21,000 a year, we are protecting those graduates on the lowest wages, whilst also reducing everyone else’s monthly repayments by up to £45. Most independent experts agree that Labour’s graduate tax would result in some students paying more back in tax than their course cost, and paying it earlier.”