Labour fails to rule out annual tuition fee rise to stop universities going bust
UK university tuition fees could rise again
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is considering allowing universities to raise tuition fees annually in line with inflation to improve their financial stability.
- This follows a previous announcement that tuition fees, frozen at £9,250 since 2017, would increase in September 2025 based on the Retail Price Index.
- The proposal addresses concerns about the financial health of universities, with a report indicating 40 per cent of English institutions may face budget deficits this year.
- A significant factor contributing to universities' financial struggles is a decline in the number of international students.
- Labour's position on tuition fees has evolved, with Keir Starmer retracting his pledge to abolish them, now seeking a "fairer solution" due to affordability concerns.