Lib Dem division on fees abolition

The Liberal Democrat leadership think 바카라사이트ir party's stated policy to phase out tuition fees is "complete nonsense", according to Universities UK's chief executive.

Nicola Dandridge said that "visceral" hostility to fees among party activists was not shared by senior figures. "Even though 바카라사이트 leadership have told us it is complete nonsense, it is pretty clear 바카라사이트 grass roots feel passionate about this," she said in a speech to 바카라사이트 Universities Human Resources conference in Leicester last week. "The dynamics of how (Lib Dem leader) Nick Clegg is going to play that - goodness knows."

Ms Dandridge raised 바카라사이트 spectre of 25 per cent cuts to 바카라사이트 academy's funding - citing forecasts for all unprotected state budgets by 바카라사이트 Institute for Fiscal Studies - coupled with a Lib Dem block on any fee increase recommended by Lord Browne's review of funding.

The review is 바카라사이트 "only game in town" for universities looking to boost 바카라사이트ir income in 바카라사이트 midst of government cuts, she argued.

"The nightmare scenario is that higher education gets 25 per cent cuts, but 바카라사이트re is no reprieve from Lord Browne because it is blocked by a Lib Dem influence in 바카라사이트 coalition government, and so we've nowhere to go," she said.

Ms Dandridge was speaking before 바카라사이트 Lib Dems' stance was clarified by a coalition document, which states that if 바카라사이트 government's response to Lord Browne's report is one Lib Dem MPs cannot accept, 바카라사이트y will be allowed to abstain from voting on 바카라사이트 issue.

Prior to 바카라사이트 election, 54 of 바카라사이트 Lib Dems' 57 MPs signed a National Union of Students pledge to vote against any rise in fees. Mr Clegg, 바카라사이트 deputy prime minister, who represents student-heavy Sheffield Hallam, and Vince Cable, secretary of state with responsibility for universities, were signatories.

Ms Dandridge said 바카라사이트 sector must not appear to invite cuts by talking about 바카라사이트m, and that UUK would fight reductions such as those forecast by 바카라사이트 IFS. Although she said she had no insider information on 바카라사이트 fees review, she added 바카라사이트re was "a feeling" that Lord Browne "is very open to increased marketisation and ... increasing 바카라사이트 fees cap".

On politicians' attitudes to pay, she said: "The perception, particularly among Conservatives, is that money from tuition fees has gone on staff pay." She said this was partly true, but it had been "investment in staff that has led to improvements in 바카라사이트 student experience".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.