Tuition troubles

And, while his timing was ill-advised, coming days after Nick Clegg’s party suffered damaging losses in the local elections, this is precisely what David Willetts was attempting to do by suggesting that universities could charge wealthy students much higher fees.

His starting point is this. The expansion of higher education in this country is no longer financially sustainable, even more so in these austere times, and new income streams – on top of philanthropy – are desperately needed. Yet Mr Willetts overlooks three considerations.

First, it is absurd to release this idea when the Conservative’s coalition colleagues are in such disarray.

Second, the Universities Minister has still to explain whether this premium will fund existing provision or new places – and the consequences for students, from less affluent backgrounds, who cannot afford to pay their fees up front.

And, third, any further reforms to student fees, and such like, are premature until the Government has set out its strategy for the future of higher education.

It would make far more sense for Ministers to determine the future number of universities, and their precise role, in the forthcoming White Paper – and then consider how this preferred strategy is financed.

By speaking out now, and then retreating, Mr Willetts is perpetuating the belief that the Tories are still the party of the rich and affluent – and that talk of social mobility on their part is little more than window-dressing for electoral purposes.