A Brighton MP has given his backing to plans to charge higher student fees less than 24 hours after students stormed his party’s headquarters.
Simon Kirby, the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, said that he supported the government’s higher education funding plans.
Those plans could see fees rise to £9,000 a year.
His comments came the day after 50,000 students and lecturers marched on Westminster to protest about fee rises and spending cuts for universities.
Mr Kirby said: “The coalition is committed to delivering a high-quality university sector that is more responsive to the needs of students and which is based on a progressive graduate contribution system.
“I believe that no one should be put off from raising their skills because of a lack of finance.
“The existing system of higher education funding in England is, regrettably, unsustainable.
“We have a world-class university sector, but it needs reforming because there is unprecedented demand for higher education and other countries have seen rapid improvements in their universities in recent years.
“Moreover, the fiscal crisis that we inherited from the previous government means we cannot expect taxpayers to sustain the current level of higher education funding.
“I believe this package offers a more sustainable future for our universities and will enable them to maintain and improve their standing.
“Equally importantly, it offers a better system for students and graduates.
“Our universities will be more responsive to their needs and choices and the graduate contribution system will be more progressive than ever before.
“Alongside this new higher education system, we will be improving other educational opportunities, such as delivering 75,000 more adult apprenticeships and providing a step change in the quality of careers advice.”
Too many universities have been created running courses that do not need to be at this level. This is the problem. Universities should be for those with a proven ability to study at a high level and the courses should be those supported by businesses who will need the graduates. The tuition fees on such courses should be fee.