§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to review the system of tuition fees; and if he will make a statement. [118507]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Department for Education and Skills has reviewed the system of tuition fees as part of a wider assessment of the higher education sector. The White Paper "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5735) which was published in January 2003 sets out our proposals to allow higher education institutions to charge variable fees, between £0 and £3000 per year per course from 2006/07. We will also abolish up front fees, so that students can defer paying their fees until after they graduate. We will continue to provide a means-tested grant to cover the standard tuition fee (£1,100 in 2002/03), as part of a wider package of measures to encourage students from families on low incomes to enter higher education. We have no further plans for review of the system of tuition fees.