The first rise in maximum UK university tuition fees since 2012 has been confirmed, with some accusing the government of sneaking out the announcement when no one was looking.
The maximum fees have risen from £9,000 to £9,250, but the BBC notes that there was no announcement on the Department for Education website to accompany the change.
Instead, the news of the increase was published on legislation.gov.uk, prompting Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron to hit out at the government’s “shabby” approach.
“This shows the government at their worst, avoiding scrutiny and debate,” the Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale said.
Meanwhile, Labour MP for Blackpool South, Gordon Marsden, has called the rise an “increase that doesn’t like to speak its name” and accused the government of attempting to sneak it out.
A Department for Education spokesperson has told The Independent: “Importantly, universities will not be able to increase their fees unless they have passed rigorous quality standards”.
But this has not stopped criticism of the changes – and the manner in which they have come to light – across social media.
Indeed many feel this rise will only be the beginning, with further rises in line with inflation anticipated.
Feel for new undergrads now having to pay £9250 in tuition fees! You may well increase with inflation but m loans haven't gone up! #NUS
— Beth (@baddersBeth91) December 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/Danssol/status/812000721398824960
Tuition fees have gone up again😂 don't bother , give me £100 quid and I'll teach you fuck all just like uni does 🍻
— Jack Kirk (@jackTkirk) December 22, 2016
course tuition fees are up & they will get a lot higher given inflation & expected restrictions on foreign students
— JY (@youngster_127) December 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/bowgettd/status/812043644513480704
So: Education spending cut in real terms, tuition fees up, students grants and EMA scrapped.. this is what happens with the Tories in power.
— George Aylett (@GeorgeAylett) December 22, 2016
