A BOLTON councillor believes the Government has broken its promise following the announcement of plans to impose university top-up fees of up to £3,000 a year on students.

Bradshaw councillor Paul Brierley warned that the high levels of debt involved in the new scheme, which could mean students leaving university owing up to £15,000, would deter many people from lower income backgrounds.

The plans are to abandon the £1,100 a year tuition fees currently paid up front by 2006, and in its place universities can charge up to £3,000 a year depending on the course. Also, maintenance grants, which were scrapped in 1998, will be brought back at a rate of £1,000 a year for the poorest students, whose families earn under £10,000.

Cllr Brierley said: "The Government had the chance to reassure students and parents, to help universities become stronger and more independent, and to make a genuine attempt to spread opportunity. It has missed that chance, and the real victims will be the students, parents and the universities. It has broken its promise."