LONDON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The British government announced a plan Wednesday for drastic increases in university fees.
Maximum fees would triple to 9,000 pounds ($14,500) a year, The Independent reported. The minimum fee would be 6,000 pounds (almost $10,000).
The proposed fee hike threatens the governing coalition between the Conservative and Liberal Democratic parties. Two former Liberal Democratic leaders said they would vote against the plan, and several ministers were said to be considering opposing it, the newspaper said.
Universities Secretary David Willetts said institutions would have to demonstrate they are making efforts to recruit low-income students before they can increase their fees. He also said the highest fees would apply to elite institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.
A doctors' group said the higher fees would be a major problem for medical students, who have a five-year course.
UPI
