Public First has agreed a partnership with leading think-tank Progressive Britain to carry out the biggest ever exercise in testing options for reforms to student finance and tuition fee policy with the public.

Supported by four major university partners – The University of Greenwich, University of Manchester, University of Warwick and University of York –the research will test public attitudes to several options for reforming the current university funding settlement.

These different reforms will be explored in a major national poll and in an extensive focus group exercise. We will be specifically looking at how different options for reform play out in various different electoral constituencies and segments.

A final report will be published in time for Party Conference season in October and we would expect our findings to play a significant role in the ongoing debate about the future of tuition fees, university funding, and student finance.

Public First Partner Ed Dorrell, said: “The next election will be tumultuous for many reasons. But it is also likely to be an inflection point for university funding. It is very hard to imagine the current scenario continuing for long into the next parliament. There are lots of debates within the HE sector and in the corridors of power over reform options, but nobody has really got into the meat of what voters across the country thinks about this important issue. This new initiative will make that happen.”

Nathan Yeowell, Director of Progressive Britain, said: “Revitalized universities are vital to Labour’s mission to build a better Britain. Funding it fairly will be central to the party’s pitch to voters that it can deliver a fairer society and start in life, no matter who you are or where you come from. The current system is unsustainable. It undermines the long-term integrity of HE in the UK and puts students and recent graduates squarely at the centre of the housing and cost of living crises. We’re excited to be part of this work that will get under the skin of people’s understanding of fairness – and excellence – in an often-misunderstood policy area.”

Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE, Vice Chancellor and President, University of York, said: “We are pleased to participate in this important project. The current system of funding does not work for students or universities – and it is clear we need a new approach to ensure long term stability for UK higher education so that we can continue to deliver for our students.”

To get in touch with us about this project, or to find out more, please email jessica.lister@publicfirst.co.uk