Tuition Fees - the Welsh Perspective

So what is the relevance of the Barnett formula to the Welsh perspective of the tuition fees debate.

Well, Wales has voted to maintain tuition fees up to £3290 a year Welsh students at universities in Wales and elsewhere in the UK. The WAG will subsidise the difference for Welsh students studying in England, once the fees rise up to the £9000 proposed fee and Welsh students studying in Wales will still only pay £3290.

As elections to the Welsh Assembly are to be held next May, it seems to be a political decision to keep fees at a low level, to try and keep Labour and/or Plaid in the next WAG.

Or will fees rise to match England once the elections are out of the way?

We will see where they are in 4 - 5 years time if Labour and/or Plaid are still in Government.

Either that, or Wales is NOT dealt a poor financial deal by Westminster if Wales can afford to keep tuition fees at a low leverl.

I have a feeling that our political leaders in Cardiff are scared to be honest with us for fear of a backlash as the Lib Dems have in England. Instead, whoever is in Government in Cardiff after May 2011 may be forced to make a similar decision.

How can Wales keep the fees at a far lower level than England enless Wales is given TOO MUCH money by Westminster? Maybe England needs more money to spend on their public services and Wales needs less?

Can we have some truth and transparency as I feel Cardiff may have to raise tuition fees once the election is over.

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