Whatever the outcome, some claim the debate signals a new direction for policy that could affect all public services.
They point out the tuition fee proposals expose the Government's attraction to "co-payment". It is assumed the public will not stand any more income tax rises, so improvements to public services must be paid for by contributions from those who benefit most. Co-payment charges users for services while ensuring the more advantaged pay the most.
In the tussle over tuition fees, this underlying thesis has been subjected to little scrutiny. Have the limits of taxation been reached? Is co-payment fairer than a progressive income tax? Such important questions seem to be absent from the Government's Big Conversation. Yet the answers will determine policy.
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