Lib Dems back tuition fee hike - or do they?

Vince Cable is reported as giving the government's approval to a report calling for an unlimited level of tuition fees for students. According to the BBC, the Business Secretary told the House of Commons he endorsed the "persuasive proposals" of Lord Browne's radical funding reforms.

Liberal Democrat MPs, including Mr Cable, signed a pledge at the election to vote against any increase in fees. Nick Clegg made a video for students in which he delivered a personal message saying that tuition fees were "wrong" and that he would oppose them. The Lib Dem press office insisted well into this evening that it remained official party policy to scrap tuition fees.

The disarray among party MPs and party activists is highlighted by the challenge issued by deputy leader Simon Hughes to Cable for him to explain how disadvantaged youngsters would not be deterred by such charges. Cable sought however to highlight divisions on fees within the Labour party - quoting the opposition of Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson to graduate taxes.

Lord Browne’s blueprint for universities in England calls for the current £3,290 cap on fees to be scrapped and replaced by a free market, in which universities set their own charges for different courses. Assembly Education minister Leighton Andrews has criticised the proposals and warned that they will impact on Welsh students.