Tuition fees rise discriminatory

In a legal opinion published this week, lawyers at top human rights chambers, Matrix, says such a rise could be in breach of the human rights of some poor students.  The cuts mean some universities will aim to charge at least £7,000 in annual tuition fees, but Matrix Chambers says there is strong reason to suspect that such an increase in costs will disproportionate affect students on lower incomes.

The legal opinion says: “There are, in our view, concerns as to whether the proposed changes would pass muster given that the burden of proof is on the state to justify retrogressive steps. In our view, there appear to have been alternative means open to the government which might have reduced the likely disproportionate impact. In particular, it is not clear whether the likely advantages of a graduate tax or the possibility of means testing in setting fees, as regards access to university by lower-income students have been adequately taken into account.”