The government’s university funding review must not cut fees – that would damage teaching and help only richer students
• David Blunkett is a former education secretary
Recent research has shown that higher education students from wealthier families are paying off tuition fees in England upfront, in order to avoid debts and “sky-high” interest rates. The findings, from the Intergenerational Foundation, showed that the “bank of mum and dad” was once again intervening in a world of deep inequality and unfairness.
The thinktank called for changes to the current fees system – however, this is unlikely to benefit those being disadvantaged by it.
Related: Social mobility tsar warns cuts to tuition fees may not help poorest students
Related: Cutting tuition fees will turn universities into vassals of the state | Simon Jenkins
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