CONCERNS over the increase in tuition fees have grown with the news that the cap will have to be lifted within a few years of their introduction.

That was the message last week from Roderick Floud, president of the Universities UK who told MP's that the introduction of fees of up to £3,000 a year in 2006 would only raise £1.8 billion in extra funding - £4 billion short of the amount needed to improve facilities and standards.

It is a further blow for youngsters who will be attending university in years to come after last month's White Paper announced that students who are currently studying GCSEs will have to pay tuition fees of up to £3,000 a year at university and has led to Manchester Metropolitan Students' Union planning a protest against the move.

"We are planning to join the national protest organised by the National Union of Students on March 5 because we knew it wouldn't stop at that (the proposed figure of fees being up to £3,000)," said senior officer Marnie Lewis.

The government stated that the capped figure would remain fixed at that rate throughout its stay in power but has said it will be reviewed beyond thereafter, causing concerns that higher education could price many students out of a place.

"Education is becoming a business rather than the institution that it should be and we are now planning a half day shut-down in protest of the decision.

"I am also in talks with schools to make some presentations to the parents and pupils in school who will be affected by these fees," she added.