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They are opposed to a new watchdog to oversee university admissions, the Office for Fair Access (called “Oftot” by its opponents). Neither they nor their parents will have to pay any fees before or while they are studying.”The vice-chancellors, whose support on fees has been a lifeline to ministers, are also opposed to income from fees being spent on bursaries for the less well-off. That, it added, would enable more young people to benefit from full-time higher education.Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, said: “University will again be free to the student while they are studying. But still the Government seems determined to force these plans through.”The tone to be adopted by ministers can be detected from the wording of the Queen’s Speech There was no mention of top-up fees.

The legislation, it said, would mean “up-front tuition fees will be abolished for full-time students; universities will be placed on a sound financial footing”. New maintenance grants of £1,000 a year will also be brought in under legislation to cushion the blow.Ministers are working on proposals that would compel universities to give bursaries of up to £875 a year to their poorest students, covering the remaining cost of the new fee arrangements. But Govern-ment research shows the poorest students already owe the most on leaving university, with half more than £10,395 in debt.A private poll of universities yesterday showed nearly half (48 per cent) said the Government’s proposals would deter students from more deprived backgrounds. Top-up fees
The Government will forge ahead with plans to introduce top-up fees of up to £3,000 a year, although it has outright support only from university vice-chancellors. Leaders of groups representing parents, teachers, students and lecturers joined opposition parties and rebel Labour MPs in condemning the proposals.At the heart of the argument is whether the proposals will deter young people from poorer homes from applying for places in higher education.The Government says no; they will be exempt from the £1,125-a-year means-tested tuition element of the possible £3,000 fee.

But I hope that now, that’s all changed.”Based on the evidence of this evening, there’s still a long way to go.. The Government will forge ahead with plans to introduce top-up fees of up to £3,000 a year, although it has outright support only from university vice-chancellors. He glances towards his colleague – the man who was so explosive about asylum. “We’re not all mad, right-wing nutters, you know,” he says, and melts into the crowd.Back in the bar, the faithful are discussing Theresa’s speech. “We all know that what she said that time about our being the ‘nasty party’ isn’t true,” says one. “We know what she was trying to say: in recent years, we have been rather nasty to each other. “I mean, the shoes are one thing, but a feather boa…?” May persists, valiantly She throws in a few footwear gags.