Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Universities, Science and Skills, responding to HEFCE’s announcement of the 2014-15 funding allocations to universities and colleges, said:

“The impact of the Tory-led Government’s failure is now becoming clear. David Cameron and Nick Clegg trebled fees, but their system is now close to costing more than the one it replaced, leaving a black hole in the student finances

“Months of clever accounting tricks have finally unravelled, revealing a student funding system that isn’t fit for purpose and in desperate need of reform. Now universities and students are bearing the price.

“This week Ministers have refused to rule out yet another hike in fees at a time when families are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, while funding for the additional university places, which they promised, remains unaccounted for.”