Sir Keir Starmer is expected to increase university tuition fees for the first time in eight years. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson is expected to confirm the plans this afternoon, which will see fees rise in line with the Retail Price Index inflation from September 2025. University tuition fees have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017. Matching them to the current rate of inflation at 2.7 per cent would mean they increase to around £9,500. The Department for Education declined to comment.
The increase in tuition fees comes as universities are facing financial crises, with many institutions in England expecting to fall into a budget deficit this year. The move to raise fees is part of a major overhaul of the higher education system, which has been a topic of concern for many in the education sector.
In addition to the tuition fee increase, Kemi Badenoch, the new Tory leader, has made her first key appointment to the shadow cabinet. Laura Trott, a close ally of Badenoch, has been named as the shadow education secretary, while Neil O’Brien, who supported Robert Jenrick during the leadership contest, has been appointed as the shadow minister for education.
During a speech to CCHQ staff on Monday, Badenoch expressed her belief that the Conservative Party can turn their fortunes around in one political term. She emphasized the importance of focusing on principles such as free speech and personal responsibility before setting out policies. This indicates a shift in the party’s approach under Badenoch’s leadership.
The government is also taking steps to tackle the small boat crisis, with plans to fast track people smugglers through the courts in a similar manner to those who participated in the summer riots. The £150 million package of measures announced includes funding for high-tech surveillance equipment and specialist investigators to target criminals engaged in people smuggling.
Overall, these developments highlight the changing landscape of education policy and political leadership in the UK. As tuition fees increase and new shadow cabinet appointments are made, it will be interesting to see how these decisions impact the higher education sector and the Conservative Party’s future direction under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership.
