Top-up fees not ruled out by Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats' main policy decision-making body has given the go-ahead to a new further and higher education document that deliberately leaves the door open to the possibility of top-up fees. It was formally approved by the Liberal Democrat Federal Policy Committee on Tuesday, subject to minor amendments.

It is expected to tackle important questions about the future of further and higher education funding, an issue both the Government and the Labour party have been criticised for avoiding.

The scheme is believed to involve student repayment of fees through an income contingent loan and allows for institutions to charge top-up fees.