PM blasted over 879% tuition fee hike leaving students in £81k debt
ANDY Burnham has been accused of “hiking tuition fees to record levels”, as figures showed the charges have risen by a “staggering” 879% since they were introduced.
TL;DR
- Tuition fees in English universities have increased by 879% since their introduction in 1998, reaching £9,790 per year.
- Undergraduates could owe up to £81,000 by graduation, while the average debt for graduates leaving in 2025 is £53,010.
- Andy Burnham is accused of breaking a 2015 pledge to replace tuition fees with a graduate tax.
- Scottish students benefit from free tuition, with an average debt of £17,990 for those graduating in 2025.
- Critics argue that rising fees exacerbate the cost of living crisis and are a betrayal of promises to young people.
- The Department for Education acknowledges issues with the student loan system and is exploring ways to make it fairer and more sustainable, including increased maintenance loans and grants.