Tory 2.0 plans: undergrads can pay for postgrads

A book by leading Tory modernisers, including David Willetts, advocates a state-backed loan system for postgraduates supported by undergraduates repaying more, and describes student protesters as "misinformed".

Tory Modernisation 2.0: The Future of 바카라사이트 Conservative Party was published on 16 January by Bright Blue, a group that campaigns for 바카라사이트 party to implement "liberal, progressive policies". The book may offer signals as to Tory manifesto commitments on universities if 바카라사이트 modernisers hold sway.

Bright Blue's advisory board includes Theresa May, 바카라사이트 home secretary, and 바카라사이트 book's foreword was written by Francis Maude, minister for 바카라사이트 Cabinet Office.

Ryan Shorthouse, Bright Blue's director and a special adviser to Mr Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, when he was in opposition, contributes a chapter on education reform.

It is "untrue" to say that "too many people go to university", he writes. "It's 바카라사이트 complete opposite", with higher-level skills "essential for UK competitiveness".

He goes on to argue that income-contingent loans make university affordable despite 바카라사이트 trebling of fees. "The student protesting...[in 2010] was misinformed," he adds.

But he notes that public subsidies to 바카라사이트 loans system mean that undergraduate numbers remain capped.

"Until 바카라사이트 cap goes, we won't have a real market which gives students value for money," he writes. As a solution, he proposes to "extend 바카라사이트 loan repayment period or reduce 바카라사이트 repayment income threshold".

Mr Shorthouse suggests that "maybe universities, whose balance sheets are healthy...could contribute to reducing 바카라사이트 loan subsidy".

He warns that postgraduate study, increasingly demanded by employers, comes with "eye-watering fees" that are "truly off-putting to those from modest backgrounds".

He adds: "Reduce 바카라사이트 subsidy on undergraduate student loans...and extend government loans to postgraduates. Do it now."

A chapter by Mr Willetts cites 바카라사이트 coalition's science funding policy as an example of "바카라사이트 creative power of government".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.