Am I missing something re tuition fees...

[Pheebe]

OK so tuition fees are not repayable until AFTER uni and AFTER you are earning over a certain amount

So why should your families pre-uni economic status be taken into account? Surely support for disadvantaged students should be focused on ensuring they have access and maintenance grants to support their daily living expenses while they are studying. Once they have their degree surely they on an equal footing to all other graduates?

Two students, both in a 40K job, one from a 'poor' background one from a 'professional' background. Who is more disadvantaged at that point by having to pay off 30K worth of debt?

What am I missing?

I don't think it's just the amount of debt. When you get past the monthly payment being not quite that bad, you have to then get past the term. 30yrs is quite a daunting prospect, something that can't easily be got around. A home, a partner (who may have equivalent debt in tow), a family, a car, finishing the debt at age 51. Kids to cater for, life to live.

These concerns won't be as issue for the well off, of course.
Our Local tory MPs blog on education advises... "There will also be more opportunities to study locally for degrees and to take some of the living costs out of the equation."

I wasn't aware that we didn't have the opportunity to study locally before this debacle.
Of course if you want to save costs that's a great idea, go to your local Uni. Unless you were hoping that you might make it to one of the Russel group. Then you have a choice, cost or Reputaion. How much is attending one of the 25 worth in real terms?