Article Abstract:
A poll conducted by the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) reveals that the government faces an uphill battle if it is to get its planned university top-up fees legislation through an hostile Parliament. Of the 143 vocal Labour critics of the top-up fee plans contacted by the THES in its survey, only three said that they had been convinced by the government's arguments and would now support the legislation. The legislation will fail if just 83 of Labour's 408 MPs vote against it, assuming, as is expected, that all 54 Liberal Democrat and 163 Conservative MPs also vote against it. Under the plans, universities will be allowed to charge variable top-up fees of up to UKPd3,000/yr.
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Article Abstract:
Government plans to allow universities to charge top-up fees of up to UKPd3,000/yr could be defeated by Christmas 2003 unless the government makes additional concessions to appease rebel Labour MPs. Over 120 Labour backbench MPs have signed an early-day motion opposing the variable fees and calling for "informed debate" prior to the introduction of top-up fee legislation. In order to defeat any top-up fee legislation, it would take at least 83 rebel Labour MPs as Liberal Democratic and Conservative MPs are expected to vote en masse against it.
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Article Abstract:
Issues concerning statistical information on the wealth of British universities are discussed. It is emphasized that, due to historically accumulated wealth, Oxford University is one hundred and seventy times wealthier than London Guildhall University.
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