REPRESENTATIVES from York’s universities have welcomed Government suggestions on changes to the way undergraduates will pay for higher education.

In a speech at London’s South Bank University, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable said the current system of tuition fees and loans was unfair, and proposed a more progressive system.

The idea that graduates would pay a graduate tax once in employment was supported by the National Union of Students (NUS), as it meant graduates who benefited more from university paid more back.

Katie Knowles, York St John Student Union’s Vice President, said the union welcomed the Government’s attitude towards alternative funding.

She said: “The financial benefits of getting a degree are quickly being negated by the outlay of costs under the current funding system, particularly in those subjects allied to the Arts and Social Sciences – many of which are run at York St John.

“A graduate tax would ensure that students are paying for their degree depending upon the financial advantage gained through employment, not the current flat rate.” Tim Ngwena, president of the student union at University of York, said the union was interested in seeing how the plans played out.

“As the NUS have highlighted, students working alongside the NUS must ensure that if the proposal becomes a reality, it’s progressive and equitable to the range of learning that takes place in higher education,” he said.

“University of York Student Union will be watching the progress of this announcement and pending reports like the Browne review to monitor the impact it will have on students looking at York as a future prospect.”