Cameron unveils plans to keep tuition fees

Conservative leader David Cameron has said that his party would support the retention of tuition fees.

Previously, the Tories had pledged to scrap tuition fees. However, during a visit to a school in Basildon, Essex, Mr Cameron told a group of sixth-formers: "I'm afraid I think we are going to have to keep student fees."

He said: "You want to go to universities that are well-funded, with good tutors, good facilities and I think if you want those things and if you want to keep taxes down, the money has to come from somewhere."

However, Mr Cameron said that the Conservatives would examine the arrangements for student debt repayments.

The announcement is a complete reversal of Tory party policies from last year's general election.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Ed Davey said that Mr Cameron's announcement showed that the Conservatives could not be trusted. He said: "David Cameron himself wrote the Tory manifesto that contained a pledge to scrap tuition fees. In less than 12 months he has completely changed his mind. The only thing pupils and parents can be sure of is that the Tories can't be trusted."

Mr Cameron also pledged that the Tories would not reintroduce the 11-plus nor would there be any expansion in grammar schools.

He also announced said that press for schools to increase the use of 'setting' where classes are organised by ability. He said: "Every parent knows that children do best when they are engaged at the right level of ability. So, I want to see setting in every single school.

"I want no child held back, so my priority is not selection by ability between schools, but setting by ability within schools, because every parent knows that a high quality education means engaging children at the right level."

(KMcA)