The repayment rate for student loans is quite generous, really. As long as that continues, scrapping maintenance grants for an equivalent (extra) loan shouldn't be too discouraging. Surprisingly the Tories have marketed this terribly.
About the rise in tuition fees - universities want more power for selection. Since they scrapped the £3k a year limit, universities/departments have created more scholarships for the kids they want, and I think the ratio of UK students to internationals has probably gone up. Less pressure to select internationals for income.
It's not all bad. Plus, it's a snow day tomorrow. Those lovely, underpaid, underworked Underground staff. Particularly, those poor drivers. How do they manage. Only an extra £2000, to add to the £947298344m a year they currently earn. Bet they nearly swerved off the track.
