§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he will ensure students will not be excluded from universities who charge higher tuition fees. [97414]
§ Margaret HodgeAny university which wishes to charge variable fees will be required to have an Access Agreement which will be approved and monitored by the Access Regulator. The Regulator will monitor admission arrangements to ensure they promote fair access and will seek to extend current good practice through, for example, bursary schemes. The maximum fee will be capped in real terms for the duration of the next Parliament at £3,000. Additionally no student or family will have to pay fees before or while they are studying. Students will be able to defer their fees as for the current maintenance loans. No interest above inflation will be charged on either loans for maintenance or fees, and the threshold at which repayment starts will be raised to £15,000 to make repayment easier for everyone. Students from low income backgrounds will be eligible to have up to £1,100 of their fees paid, and student grants of £1,000 will also be introduced for those from low income families.