The Institute for Public Policy Research, the Labour Party’s think tank, has recommended that middle class students should be denied student loans to fund the cost of living whilst at University and tuition fees.

If this were to happen, their parents would be forced to shoulder more of the cost – £3,225 for tuition alone possibly rising to £7,000 if Universities succeed in their lobbying for higher fees plus living expenses. Denying middle class student the opportunity of part funding their University education through a student loan would place untold pressures on the middle classes.

These proposals from the Institute for Public Policy Research are in effect a massive stealth tax on families whose aim is to ensure their children are fully educated for the 21st century. The Governments reaction has been luke warm to the report but they have refused to dismiss its conclusions saying that the Government is committed to making sure that money is not a barrier to people going to University whatever their background.” Few could argue with that sentiment but as usual, the devil will be in the detail – when and if it appears!