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Vince Cable shrugs off report ruling out graduate tax
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor7 Sep 2010
Liberal Democrat plans for a “graduate tax” for students were still alive today despite an independent review ruling out the idea.
A report into university funding by Lord Browne of Madingley has decided against making graduates pay more through the tax system.
His findings will provide ammunition for Tory MPs and others opposing moves by Business Secretary Vince Cable to impose a new system of “graduate contribution”.
The review will publish its findings next month and is expected to call instead for a big rise in tuition fees of up to £25,000 per student.
But Mr Cable's Department for Business Innovation and Skills insisted today that Lord Browne's recommendations would not be binding on the coalition government.
“Although we will take it seriously, the Government is not committed to any of the recommendations. This is just an independent report, it is not government policy,” a spokeswoman said.
“We have yet to see the report because it is independent and we will wait until it has been officially given to us. Lord Browne has done a lot of valuable work on this.”
Departmental sources also pointed out that both Mr Cable and Higher Education Minister David Willetts have advocated a greater “graduate contribution” to help fund the mounting costs of universities. Liberal Democrats view the idea of some form of graduate tax as central to coalition agreement.
Reader views (6)
make no mistake, Cable's motive is wealth re-distribution not coming up with a workable system...Why would anyone accept an open ended liablity, why should any grad pay 3 or 4 times the cost of their education in tax and why should someone who works hard and succeeds subsidise people who chose not to use their degree to better themselves financially...
- martin_clerkenwell, london, 07/09/2010 16:36
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the libdems received mroe than half the vote of the other two parties...more than meagre! and the last poll had them on 18%, down from 23%..not that rapidly declining!
- dom, london, 07/09/2010 16:35
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Vince does a good job of talking-the-talk, but, when he has to walk-the-walk as well he suddenly seems much less capable.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 07/09/2010 15:32
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With the meagre vote they received and rapidly declining support, is anybody still listening to the Lib Dems?
- Mark, London, 07/09/2010 14:45
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Once again Uncle Vince has been the face of a poorly thought out impossible to implement tax idea that anyone with even a weak handle on fiscal matter could drive a horse and cart through. Hardly suprising he is becoming a bit of a cabinet pariah but then what do ou expect from an old labour absconder.
- Hansel, London, 07/09/2010 11:40
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A Graduateax will mean an open ended liability for English students and a free ride for foreign/EU students as it will be unenforceable overseas. In opposition Vince and his gang were an entertaining diversion but this proves that in power they are dangerous.
- Steve, Brentford, 07/09/2010 11:28
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