English universities can raise tuition fees if they meet ‘tough’ standards, says Phillipson

Institutions will have to prove strong student outcomes in order to be able to raise fees. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA

University tuition fees in England are to rise in line with inflation, but only for institutions that meet “tough new quality thresholds”, the government has announced.

In an attempt to put the higher education sector on a firmer financial footing, all institutions will benefit from increased fees for the next two academic years, starting next September, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, told MPs on Monday.