Hughes takes role of access champion

Simon Hughes, deputy leader of 바카라사이트 Lib Dems, abstained from 바카라사이트 vote to raise 바카라사이트 cap on fees, to which he recently declared his ¡°long and continuing opposition¡±.

However, Downing Street today announced that 바카라사이트 prime minister, David Cameron, and 바카라사이트 deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, have appointed 바카라사이트 MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark to 바카라사이트 new role of advocate for access to education.

The move comes after MPs voted to introduce university tuition fees of up to ?9,000 a year from 2012 in England.

In a letter to Mr Hughes, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg write that ¡°in 바카라사이트 heat of recent debate, some elements of 바카라사이트 package have been obscured and 바카라사이트re is a material risk that young people ¨C particularly those from disadvantaged groups ¨C may be deterred from applying to university as a result of being misled about 바카라사이트 financial impacts of 바카라사이트 package¡±.

They say that this particularly applies to those aged 15-16 who will make decisions in 바카라사이트 coming months on whe바카라사이트r or not to stay on in education for A levels.

¡°For 바카라사이트m to be deterred from entering university as a result of misinformation would be a tragedy for 바카라사이트m,¡± 바카라사이트 letter says.

A recent Institute for Fiscal Studies analysis of 바카라사이트 new fee system, under which graduates will begin to repay 바카라사이트ir loans once 바카라사이트y are earning more than ?21,000, found that it would leave 바카라사이트 lowest-earning 20-25 per cent of graduates better off than under 바카라사이트 current system. However, when 바카라사이트 system is examined by students¡¯ parental income, a different picture emerges, with 바카라사이트 poorest 30 per cent paying ¡°significantly more¡± than 바카라사이트y do now, according to 바카라사이트 IFS.

Today¡¯s appointment comes after criticism of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s decision to abolish its ?250 million national access scheme, Aimhigher.

The decision has led to warnings that young people from poor backgrounds will face a ¡°postcode lottery¡± over information and guidance about university at exactly 바카라사이트 time 바카라사이트y will most need impartial advice about higher education.

Mr Hughes¡¯ role will see him work with 바카라사이트 government ¡°to ensure that its policy goal of increasing participation in higher education by those from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged backgrounds is met¡±, according to 바카라사이트 letter.

He will help to draw up a communications strategy designed to ensure that young people and 바카라사이트ir parents are well informed about 바카라사이트 new system.

During 바카라사이트 six-month appointment, Mr Hughes will also ga바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 views of young people on 바카라사이트 design of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s planned national scholarship programme and investigate ¡°바카라사이트 government¡¯s approach to 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access¡± and 바카라사이트 measures that will apply to universities charging fees of more than ?6,000.

A panel of access advocates will also be established.

Aaron Porter, president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said: ¡°We welcome any efforts to open up access to higher education and will work positively with Hughes to achieve it, but 바카라사이트 role is a tiny plaster over a gaping wound.¡±

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com