While it is important that universities are properly funded, any change to fees should be accompanied by co-ordinated measures to improve access, particularly to our top universities, where the access gap remains nine- fold between those from the richest and poorest fifth of neighbourhoods.
The Sutton Trust has long argued for means-tested fees based on parental income. Means testing is common in many US universities and was in place here until 2006. Maintenance grants are means-tested; fees should be too.
Read the letter on the Standard website here.