§ Paul FarrellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who he intends will be responsible for raising the maximum cap on top-up fees; and by what mechanism. [137554]
§ Alan JohnsonI can assure my hon. Friend that the £3,000 fee cap will not be raised by more than the rate of inflation for the lifetime of the next Parliament.
The precise mechanism for raising the fee cap will be established under the proposed legislation. Under the current arrangements, the standard fee can be uprated for inflation by negative resolution of the House. However, it can only be increased by more than inflation by affirmative resolution, which would require a debate and vote in both Houses.