In 1996 Tory PM John Major asked Lord Dearing to look at university funding. The following year it recommended students pay 25% of the cost of tuition.
Following the report, education secretary David Blunkett announces the introduction of means-tested tuition fees of up to £1250 per annum (to begin in September 1998).
In 2001 LibDem leader, Charles Kennedy, calling their introduction "one of the most pernicious political acts that has taken place". Labour is re-elected with a manifesto pledge stating that it "will not introduce top-up fees and has legislated against them"
In 2003 Labour publishes a white paper setting out proposals allowing universities to set their own tuition fees up to a cap of £3,000 a year.
Conservative party leader, Iain Duncan Smith, pledges that all university calling condemning tuition fees as "a tax on learning". The next Conservative leader, Michael Howard, reiterates his strong opposition to top-up fees, by calling Blair’s plans " absolute nonsense".
Charles Clarke makes concessions to Labour rebels in a bid to avoid defeat in the Commons.
With 316 votes for, and 311 against, the higher education bill is passed.
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