Clarke defends fees policy
The Secretary of State for Education has vigorously defended the policy of allowing different universities to charge different tuition fees.
Mr Clarke made his comments to a Commonwealth universities conference in Belfast, insisting that there would be no change in government policy.
Mr Clarke said that it was unreasonable to expect the state to pay for higher education in an era when 43% of the population went onto university, focussing instead on early years provision where he said extra money could be more profitably spent.
He also said he saw no reason why different universities, and different causes, should not charge differing amounts.
Current plans forecast an end to upfront tuition fees, with students being charged upto £3000 a year for their education, repayable after graduation
His comments perhaps indicate a determination on the part of the Government to stand firm on the most controversial aspects of their public policies, ahead of the conference system.
Both the TUC and Labour Party conferences are expected to showcase widespread dissatisfaction in the left wing community on issues ranging from Foundation Hospitals to tuition fees.
