It may be expected that student organisations and interest groups concerned with education would oppose vigorously the adoption of the proposed target fee levels which would result in steep increases in real terms in tuition fees each year. Criticisms are likely to focus on the perceived reduction in government financial support for higher education.
33
the
Some members of the public may support the students' opposition, claiming that
increases discriminate against students from less well-off families; others might argue that it is only fair to ask those who benefit from higher education to pay for it, particularly if they can.
PUBLICITY
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It is not proposed to issue any publicity at this stage. When the views of the institutions have been received and if necessary after further consideration by this Council as suggested
suggested in paragraph 31, it is proposed that a press release will be issued setting out the Government's intentions. The release will also announce the results of the review on the Local Student Finance Scheme. It will be stressed that higher education is heavily subsidized from public funds, with income from tuition fees meeting only a small proportion of the total costs, and that assistance is available under the Local Student Finance Scheme for students who cannot afford to pay their fees.
ADVICE SOUGHT
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Members are invited to note the proposals set out in
paragraph 24 above and advise whether these proposals should be put to the five higher education institutions funded through the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee for their views.
(The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr. R.G.B. BRIDGE, the Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr. M. PAGLIARI, and the Secretary, University and
Polytehnic Grants Committee, Mr. J.A. FROST, will attend
before the Council for the discussion of this item.)
29 October 1986
(EMB CR 5/1716/46 VII)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.