The Browne review

A plan for higher university fees, fewer subsidies, more markets and less government has been unveiled by an independent review into the future of the English higher education system. The radical blueprint, revealed on Tuesday by a panel chaired by Lord Browne, the former chief executive of BP, will cause tremors in the coalition government and problems for Labour.The review proposes removing the current cap on annual fees of £3,290. If institutions want to charge more than £6,000, however, they will be obliged to pay a levy to recompense the government for the cost of higher student loans. – The FT

David Cameron has urged Liberal Democrat MPs to “compromise” over university funding, as the Government prepared to announce a dramatic rise in university fees. John Hemming (Lib Dem Yardley) and Lorely Burt (Lib Dem Solihull) both signed a pledge before the general election promising to vote against any increase in student tuition fees. But they will face a dilemma if a Government review recommends allowing universities to charge more. Lord Browne of Madingley’s independent review of student finance is expected to recommend removing the existing tuition fee limit of £3,290 a year. – The Birmingham Post

Sky’s chief political correspondent Jon Craig said Prime Minister David Cameron would brief Labour leader Ed Miliband in the morning in an attempt to build a consensus. “The crucial vote will be in six weeks time,” Craig said. “That’s when the big showdown will come.” The National Union of Students said debts could double and students who have to borrow the most to fund their studies will be hit by higher interest payments. Speaking before the report’s publication, NUS president Aaron Porter said: “It would be an insult to the intelligence of those who voted for the Liberal Democrats to attempt to rebrand the regressive and deeply unpopular top-up fee system. Liberal Democrat MPs have long opposed tuition fees and at the general election each of them signed a pledge to vote against higher fees in Parliament.” – Sky News (more…)

Ed’s “new generation”

Other new-intake MPs who have been given shadow ministerial roles include Michael Dugher, a former special adviser to Gordon Brown, at defence. John Woodcock, who also worked for Mr Brown at Downing Street, becomes a Shadow Transport Minister. Gloria De Piero, the ex-television journalist, is a Shadow Culture Minister. Luciana Berger, who was once wrongly romantically linked to Tony Blair’s son Euan, is a Shadow Energy Minister at 28. Mr Miliband said: “I am delighted with Labour’s front bench team. I am particularly pleased that I could bring in a new generation of talent, whilst also using the experience of a broad range of Labour MPs. – The Herald

The Labour leader said he was turning to a “new generation of talent” with shadow ministerial jobs for 12 MPs elected last May. The frontbenchers include Gloria De Piero, Luciana Berger, John Woodcock and Shabana Mahmood. Rising star Chuka Umunna becomes Mr Miliband’s personal aide. Diane Abbott is shadow minister for health, while MP John Spellar joins Yvette Cooper in foreign affairs. Gareth Thomas is in business and skills, while Vernon Coaker will again work with Ed Balls, on home affairs. Mr Miliband said: “This is a team which will robustly hold the Government to account.” – The Mirror

LABOUR leader Ed Miliband has appointed another Welsh MP to a shadow ministerial role. Wayne David, MP for Caerphilly, is to become the party’s new Shadow Minister for Europe. Mr David, a former MEP, was one of the eight Welsh MPs who initially missed out on a role in the Shadow Cabinet thanks to the party’s ballot system. The party’s MPs elect their colleagues to the front bench while in opposition, but despite eight Welsh MPs putting their names forward, none made the final cut. – Western Mail

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Diane gets health gig

Ed Miliband gave defeated Labour leadership rival Diane Abbott a key job as shadow public health minister yesterday. The appointment of Ms Abbott means all the new leader’s challengers have been given posts in his top team – apart from his brother David, who decided not to run for a frontbench job. She will serve under the newly-appointed Shadow Health Secretary John Healey. A source close to Mr Miliband said: “Ed believes Diane Abbott will bring passion, formidable communication skills and combative political abilities to this key role.” Mr Miliband also appointed Kevan Jones and rising star Michael Dugher as shadow defence ministers. – The Mirror

Ed Miliband has recruited failed Labour leadership challenger Diane Abbott to his shadow ministerial ranks.  Ms Abbott, a left-winger, came last in the contest to succeed Gordon Brown and she also lacked the support needed from fellow Labour MPs to be elected to the shadow cabinet. But Mr Miliband, who is still appointing to the lower ranks of his first shadow team, has made her shadow public health minister. – Sky

“We’re all in this together”

David Cameron and George Osborne were the guests of honour at a lavish £25,000 party – just hours before they unveiled savage spending cuts. The Prime Minister and Chancellor joined more than 60 senior Tories at one of Britain’s top restaurants for the exclusive event[…]His guests enjoyed a four-course meal washed down with champagne and up to 24 bottles of Pétrus – dubbed “the most expensive wine in the world”. Just hours earlier Mr Osborne had delivered his “we’re all in this together” message at the Tory conference – announcing his plans to axe child benefit payments to 1.2million families. – The Mirror

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