The Tories say they would abolish all university tuition charges, including Labour's controversial top-up fees. To help pay for the plan the party would remove students' access to low-rate loans and charge a commercial rate of interest instead - as much as 8%.

In response to this, Brian Dash agrees with Phil Willis MP, Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary , saying:

” Michael Howard is now showing his true colours. Under his plans only the wealthy should apply to universities. Tory policies will see poorer students being priced out of universities by huge hikes in the cost of student loans. By introducing commercial interest rates poor students will end up with astronomic levels of debt and many will be put off going to university altogether. ”