Unison: Fees rise will put off the disadvantaged

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, comments on the release of Lord Browne’s review of higher education funding:

“Removing the cap, and putting the cost of tuition fees up, will price many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds out of going to university. Others will be put off by the prospect of being saddled with thousands of pounds worth of debt. What matters to students is total debt; whether it is a fee, loan or graduate tax is irrelevant.

“Many students already struggle to make ends meet during their course. The knock on effects could be disastrous, for example in 2013 the nursing profession turns all graduate. The recommendations in this report will do nothing to help keep people from all walks of life becoming a nurse.

“We are calling on the government to reject these proposals, and for the liberals in the coalition to remember their pre-election promises.”