Students now want the government to abandon its tuition fees plan

Government Backs Down in "Gap Year" Row

Newsnight interviews Baroness Blackstone, followed by a debate between Shadow Education Minister David Willetts, NUS President Douglas Trainer and Labour MP Lorna Fitzsimmons

The announcement has delighted university and student leaders. But the Conservatives denounced the Government for being in a "complete shambles". Two days ago, Government sources said that no more concessions on the tuition fees issue could be expected.

Baroness Blackstone: No U-Turn

Baroness Blackstone strongly denied there had been a U-Turn in Government policy. In an interview with the BBC, she stressed that the Government had advised those students who had decided to defer university for a year not to change their plans.

As a result of the decision, the number of students exempted from tuition fees has rocketed from 2,000 to 20,000. However, those who have not yet applied to university but intend to do so over the coming year will not be exempted.

If these students wish to avoid paying fees, they will have to compete for spare university places in this year's clearing system - increasing the competition as 'A' Level results are released.

The Shadow Education Minister, David Willetts, argued that the government had failed to follow a consistent policy. "Now the Government is going to exempt all students who have already planned gap year. That is what they should have done from the start," Mr Willetts said. "Instead, we have a shambles which has damaged the Government's credibility with students and teachers alike."

Meanwhile, the National Union of Students welcomed the move, but said the Government should abandon its plan for tuition fees altogether.

And David Hart, of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the Government had "seen sense". Mr Hart said: "While this undoubtedly represents a complete U-Turn for the Government, it is the only fair solution."