Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to announce a hike in tuition fees for the first time in eight years.
It comes as the Cabinet minister prepares to deliver a statement to the Commons today on the higher education sector amid months of speculation over fees.
Tuition fees have been capped at £9,250 in England since 2017. But recent reports have suggested they could rise by 13.5% over the next five years to £10,500 – a hike of £1,250. Details are expected to be set out imminently.
There is also speculation over whether the government will restore maintenance grants for the poorest students – a payment abolished by the Tories in 2016.
Shortly after entering the Department for Education (DfE) Ms Phillipson said an increase in student fees would be “unpalatable” – but did not rule out the prospect.
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In opposition Keir Starmer dropped his 2020 pledge to abolish tuition fees saying his priority was to cut record NHS waiting lists. He said at the time: “Looking at the costing for tuition fees or abolishing them, looking at the money we need to put into the NHS, I’ve taken the decision that we can’t do both. That’s a difficult decision, I’ll accept that.”
In a break from Labour’s previous manifestos under ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn, the party’s 2024 election blueprint did not include the vow to abolish tuition fees.
Instead, it said: “The current higher education funding settlement does not work for the taxpayer, universities, staff, or students. Labour will act to create a secure future for higher education and the opportunities it creates across the UK. We will work with universities to deliver for students and our economy.”
The Department for Education declined to comment on the reports ahead of Ms Phillipson’s statement.