Wealthy should not be allowed to 'buy' university places, says union

The union added that any plans where wealthy students could simply pay more to secure a place at university were particularly embarrassing for the Liberal Democrats looking to put clear water between themselves and their coalition partners. All Liberal Democrats MPs signed a pre-election pledge to vote, and campaign, against any rise in university fees.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'I am amazed that such plans are under consideration. We have seen considerable changes made to government policy recently and it is clear these plans need an urgent rethink.
 
'Far from increasing social mobility, it is hard to see how this is anything other than the government entrenching privilege for the wealthy in response to its failing university fees policy. We risk turning the clock back to a time when breeding rather than brains were required to get on in life.
 
'The news is particularly embarrassing for the Liberal Democrats as all their MPs pledged to vote, and campaign, against higher fees. Increasing fees for wealthy students to ensure them access to our most prestigious universities goes even further than their original breaking of the pledge and sends an extraordinary message to students from less wealthy backgrounds.'