Why THIS tuition fee rise is wrong

Yes, we are in a financial hole and cuts need to be made. Just want to point that out.

Im not going to come at this from a point of view of fairness, progressiveness, class, political ideology, income levels or any of the other worthy (but essentially circular) arguments

Instead, lets talk about society. An argument posited by some taxpayers is that they dont see why they should pay for other people to go to University. Well, here is why

EVERYBODY benefits from UK graduates. Our children are educated, perhaps even raised, by the Teachers that go through our University system. Our Doctors, Lawyers, Social workers, academics, scientists, business people and so on all do the same. These are the people that drive our economy, providing opportunities, jobs and a large proportion of income tax revenue that pays for the services that we ALL benefit from.

Yes, those people also benefit financially from their education but they have worked hard for it. This portrayal of them as a 'lucky few' is shortsighted. They work hard throughout school and through their degrees to achieve that.

So what Im talking about is a partnership. The student benefits, so they should pay something. Society benefits, so the state should pay something. This is about the sort of society we want to live in, not just about cuts or money. If we dont support our students and educational institutions, why should we expect them to form an ongoing compact with society. It becomes a case of 'F*** you Jack, I'm all right'.

This is not a society I want to be part of. These measures are being rushed through with little thought or time for a considered, reflective debate and can only harm the long-term future of Higher Education in this country