Freedom from fees for the bright students

University tuition fees for high achievers will be scrapped under UKIP, says its North-West MEP Paul Nuttall.

The announcement comes as plans are being considered by ministers that would see universities administering the loans system themselves which could see them lose out if students fail to pay on time.

Currently fees are paid to universities by the Student Loans Company, with graduates repaying the company when they reach an income threshold.

UKIP education spokesman Mr Nuttall said: “Tuition fees act as a huge disincentive for poorer students to go on to university.

“The worry of debt, when they come from a family that has struggled financially, is often enough to switch them off from further learning.

“UKIP’s policy would see students who gain two As and a B at A-level having their entire course funded for them, no loans, no repayments, no means testing.”

The new plans would see the university itself funding the course and having to wait until the graduate starts earning £21,000 per year before receiving any repayments.

Mr Nuttall added: “If you fund decent students, on decent courses, the risk of losing money is virtually non-existent.

“Our funding will be available for degrees that really help the country remain competitive on the global economic stage, so it should be seen as an investment, not a freebie.

“We would therefore fund degrees in subjects such as science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.”