Tuition fee rise risks haemorrhaging of votes says poll

The poll reveals that, as well as opposing any increase in fees, the majority of people in Britain back a university funding system that is free to the student or their family. Over two thirds of British adults polled think university has become less attractive because of university tuition fees and three in five would be more inclined to vote for a political party that promised not to increase fees.

Despite raising extra money for universities only 16% of British adults think the introduction of tuition fees has delivered a higher standard of education. Worryingly for the government more people now believe the Conservative party would do a better job looking after students' interests and British universities; although a fifth does not have faith in any political party to look after higher education.

English adults polled preferred the Scottish system with over two thirds (70%) supporting the introduction of a similar system in England where students do not pay fees. However the Scots had little desire to see the English system of £3,000-a-year fees replicated north of the border with three quarters (74%) opposing it.

The key findings of the poll include:

• 69% either disagree or strongly disagree that English universities should be allowed to raise tuition fees. Only 12% either agree or strongly agree
• 55% either agree or strongly agree that university education should be at no cost to the student or their family
• 70% either agree or strongly agree that higher education is less attractive to potential students and their families following the introduction of top-up fees
• 60% would be more inclined to vote for a political party that promised not to increase university tuition fees. Only 11% said they would not be influenced by a party's tuition fee policy
• 20% trust the Conservative party most to look after students' interests, whereas 15% trust Labour most, 12% trust the Liberal Democrats most and 21% do not trust any party
• 29% trust the Conservative party most to look after universities' interests, whereas 14% trust Labour most, 6% back the Liberal Democrats and 19% do not trust any party
• Only 16% either agree or strongly agree that the introduction of tuition fees has allowed universities to provide a higher standard of education
• 70% of English adults polled support a similar tuition fee system to Scotland where students do not pay fees
• 74% of Scottish adults polled oppose the introduction of an English-style system with fees in Scotland.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'It is an arrogant or failing government that does not pay attention to what the electorate and practitioners have to say. UCU has consistently opposed university fees because we do not believe asking voters to saddle themselves with thousands of pounds of debt is the best way to encourage people to consider university.

'The current policy of sentencing students to record levels of debt is in desperate need of a rethink, something next year's fees review must address. We want the system changed because we believe it is the right thing to do. The government may not share our view, but two thirds of voters do and that could make a huge difference at a general election.

'Despite record sums of money being spent on widening participation, there has been no real change in the proportion of students from the poorest backgrounds entering higher education. I can remember what life in higher education was like under the last Conservative administration and I am saddened and astounded that the current efforts of the Labour government are considered so feeble that people are willing to take a chance on the policy-lite Tories.'

Notes

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,068 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15-18 August 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

The full poll results are available from the UCU press office.