Supported by Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat business secretary who is responsible for higher education, the Office for Fair Access, a regulator, wants a portion of the higher fees to be diverted to outreach efforts.

ECONOMIST: Public-service reform

Prof Les Ebdon, director of the Office for Fair Access to Higher Education (Offa), said the body's new guidance to universities would emphasise the importance of "sustained, targeted outreach".

BBC: Poorer pupils 'lack confidence' for top universities

Bankruptcy relief on student loans isn't just fair, it's the first step to a more functional market in higher education.

CNN: Obama should push bankruptcy relief for student loans