• “Kettling Should Be Banned”: Tuition Fees Protests
    31st January 2011

    As a new wave of anti-tuition fees protests begins, a large-scale campaign has been launched to ban the police tactic of ‘kettling’ protesters. We look at the arguments against the police method of forced containment, and ask whether protesters are right to claim it breaches their fundamental human rights.

  • “Most” Universities Will Charge £9000 Tuition Fees
    27th January 2011

    Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, has revealed disturbing findings this week from his discussions with university executives. He predicts that, contrary to government promises, a high percentage of universities will choose to charge the maximum tuition fees of £9000.

  • Student Protest Movement Divided
    23rd January 2011

    As the student movement picks up its placards for a renewed assault on the government’s tuition fees policy and education cuts, it risks being derailed by division in the ranks. Aaron Porter urges a considered, targeted campaign whilst the more radical activists want to fight on with protests and marches to have the policy revoked. Which is the right path for this new breed of student political activism?

  • The Education Maintenance Allowance Debate
    20th January 2011

    As the government votes against reinstating the axed Education Maintenance Allowance, we consider the arguments on both sides, and ask what impact the cuts will really have on underpriveleged pupils. Can the government justify its claim that an enormous £500 million of funding should be withdrawn from support for sixth-form college attendees?

  • A-Level Exam Time May Change
    17th January 2011

    As the government considers changing the timing of A-level examinations to allow students to apply for university with their actual (rather than predicted) results, we consider the pros and cons of the new scheme, including claims that it would be beneficial for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

  • KPMG to pay university tuition fees
    14th January 2011

    In the wake of the government’s controversial decision to raise tuition fees in England to £9000 and subsequent withdrawl of some of their key access schemes, top accountancy firm KPMG has unveiled plans to cover the cost of tuition fees for school leavers entering university as part of their training program. Will other businesses follow suit, and will this be a positive move for access to higher education in England?

  • Government university access schemes “unworkable”
    10th January 2011

    Following the controversial vote to raise tuition fees in England to £9000, the government has been quick to backtrack on the generous aid and access packages they outlined whilst desperately drumming up support and votes for the policy in Parliament. Latest to be thrown into doubt is the scheme whereby the government would waive a year’s fees for free school meals students, which now seems unlikely to be implemented.

  • Simon Hughes appointed advocate for access to education
    05th January 2011

    Having raised eyebrows with his refusal to vote for the coalition government’s controversial tuition fees policy, Simon Hughes has hit the headlines again with his new appointment as advocate for access to education. Is his appointment a genuine effort by Cameron and Clegg to boost input and support for those from underpriveleged backgrounds, or a highly cynical publicity stunt to mollify outraged voters and protesters? And has Hughes himself abandoned his principles by accepting the position?

  • Tuition fee protests: police “breached human rights”
    01st January 2011

    A wave of allegations and legal claims have begun against the Metropolitan police amidst concerns that their heavy-handed treatment of peaceful student protesters was unlawful. Legal experts claim that the use of police violence and the tactic of immediate ‘kettling’ as students demonstrated against higher tuition fees and unversity funding cuts represented a serious breach of their human rights.