Williams warns: Mandelson laying groundwork for hike in tuition fees

6.41.16pm GMT Wed 4th Nov 2009

Commenting ahead of Lord Mandelson's announcement that students should be treated like consumers and given more information about courses, Liberal Democrat Shadow Universities Secretary, Stephen Williams said:

"While giving students more information and more choice is good, it is clear that what Mandelson is really doing is laying the groundwork for a hike in tuition fees after the election.

"The Government has colluded with the Tories to keep tuition fees off the agenda until after polling day.

"This is cynical and dishonest and will plunge students into even more debt without any public debate. The Liberal Democrats want to scrap tuition fees and will fight any attempt to raise the cap."