Guido hears the government is set to announce an increase in tuition fees today. Fees have been frozen at £9,250 a year since 2017. Labour briefed two months after coming to office that “the current system is unsustainable and we need to raise tuition fees.” Post-budget they are set to announce a rise along with inflation to £9,535 for the financial year 2025/26. The figure was set late last week…
Labour made clear that discussions were “live” to re-introduce maintenance grants for poorer students of up to £3,500, which were scrapped in 2016 by the Tories. Though, judging by the budget, they’ve got no problem hanging the less well-off out to dry…
UPDATE: Asked about Guido’s story at this afternoon’s Lobby briefing, Starmer’s spokesman said the “Government inherited a higher education sector facing huge financial challenges, tough decisions are necessary.”
UPDATE II: Now confirmed by Phillipson.
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”