Nick Clegg hits out at university tuition fees – despite helping to create system

PoliticsOpinion
11 Mar 2026 • 9:55 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Sir Nick Clegg has stated that the university tuition system is "deeply unfair" and accepted responsibility for the tripling of fees during his tenure as deputy prime minister.
  • He admitted that he should take criticism for the role on the chin, having overseen the increase of tuition fees in England to a maximum of £9,000 a year from 2012.
  • Sir Nick suggested the future establishment of an independent institution to oversee the terms of student loans, aiming to enhance fairness and trust.
  • He also advocated for the government to restore maintenance grants and re-establish the link between inflation and the earnings threshold for graduate loan repayments.
  • The government plans to reintroduce targeted maintenance grants by 2029, while Labour MPs have criticised the current "regressive" student loan system, though no immediate reforms have been announced.

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