If tuition fees had risen in line with inflation in every year since £9,000 fees were introduced (in 2012) they would now be at £13,500. This September (after only the 2nd inflationary increase in that period) domestic undergraduate tuition fees are £9,535 per year.

Bridget Phillipson also confirms that care leavers will now automatically be allocated the maximum maintenance support when entering higher education.

Ian Sollom, Lib Dem Universities spokesperson confirms they welcome the increase in maintenance for domestic students, but do not support it being funded by a levy on international student fees and warns of the implications of a possible reduction international students coming to the UK.

Laura Trott, Shadow Education Sec accuses the HE sector of having “low value courses” and reiterates that the Tories want fewer going to Uni. Phillipson in her response: “when the opposition talk of Micky Mouse courses, they never say who shouldn’t be going to university or which courses they mean”

Bridget Phillipson confirms that undergraduate tuition fees for domestic students will increase with inflation in England for the next 2 years. Maintenance support will also increase with inflation.

Paris Saint-Germain have won more games against Premier League opposition this season than Southampton. #UCL

A theatre, politics & history crossover The @kingsheadtheatre.bsky.social are staging, “The Gang of Three” about the power vacuum left by Harold Wilson’s resignation & fight for the future of the Labour between 3 friends Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey & Tony Crosland. kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/6/b...

Rory McIlroy joins the Golf GOATs

Great to be back at the @kiaoval.com for the first Surrey home game of the 2025 cricket season (vs Hampshire). Absolutely glorious weather for it.

Sometimes lightning strikes Rice #Arsenal #ARSRMA

They’ll be dancing in the streets of Riyadh tonight… #newcastle #newcastleunited #eflfinal

After the win against Villa last night, Oliver Glasner now averages 1.5 points per game at Palace (highest of any Crystal Palace manager in the Premier League era). Also 1.6 goals per game & a 40% win ratio. 36 points is also the highest points tally for Palace after 27 games in a PL season. #cpfc

Today marks the 1st anniversary of Oliver Glasner’s appointment as Crystal Palace manager. The graphic sets out his record in all competitions (44 games). His Premier League record is: P38 W14 D12 L13 F58 A46 Pts 54 54 points would constitute a #cpfc record in any Premier League season.

Like a 2025 version of Ronnie Radford! What a cracker from Jamie Donley for Leyton Orient. Magic of the FA Cup! #facup #leytonorient #mancity

A very enjoyable afternoon in Manchester, made all the better leaving with a deserved 3 points in the bag for Crystal Palace. 30 points, 12th in the table and very much looking toward a top half finish. #cpfc

After the win at Manchester United this afternoon, Crystal Palace now have 30 points after 24 Premier League games. Our 2nd highest points tally after 24 games in a PL season. Very much capable of breaking our record PL points tally of 49 points (18/19 & 23/24 seasons). #cpfc

Today’s #premierleague results feels like it settles the relegation spots for the 3 promoted teams; Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton. Struggle to see how any of them will be able to get past the teams above them now.

Really enjoyed @mrjamesgraham.bsky.social’s “Brian and Maggie” on Channel 4. Great dramatisation of an important turning point in modern British history. But also how we badly miss the quality in-depth political interview.

My favourite #TheTraitors reunited!

Wonderful day with 80 fantastic student governors from across the UK & Ireland for the @advancehe.bsky.social event to reflect on the current HE environment, their year so far & ongoing objectives Thanks to @jimdickinson.bsky.social, @liviascott.bsky.social & Dinah Caine for their input #governance

I appreciate this isn’t the biggest consequence of Trump’s inauguration, but can someone explain why Gianni Infantino is amongst the VIP guests (basically behind the former Presidents!) at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Most important thing was the 3 points last night. Awful first half, improved 2nd half. Well taken goals, now Crystal Palace can start to look seriously at the top half of the Premier League table. #cpfc

Terrific thread from @wonkhe.bsky.social’s @jimdickinson.bsky.social on today’s update & Bridget Phillipson’s statement regarding freedom of speech and universities / higher education providers.

With such attention on HE transformation, delighted to be asked by UniversitiesUK & @advancehe.bsky.social to chair this mini podcast series. Ep 1 - what does a successful merger look like? Guests Gayle Ditchburn @profserious.bsky.social & Prof Lesley Haig www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/podca...

Elon Musk was a cheerleader for and bankrolled Donald Trump. He’s supporting the AfD in Germany. He doesn’t think Nigel Farage is right wing enough in the UK & have publicly backed Tommy Robinson. You don’t need any more evidence to know exactly what he is.

A week is a long time in politics.

It’s snowing in Clapham, London #uksnow

Satisfying point for Crystal Palace against Chelsea. Much improved second half performance. #cpfc

Landslide for Luke the Nuke #lukelittler #worlddarts

Greatest teenage sporting achievements: Pele Michael Phelps Wayne Gretzky Martina Hingis Boris Becker Ronnie O’Sullivan Simone Biles Tiger Woods Wayne Rooney Now time to add… Luke Littler

It’s depressing that lots of folk (& right wing newspapers) are working themselves into a frenzy about Sadiq Khan getting knighted. It’s significant he’s won 3 landslide victories in London. I don’t think he’s the greatest Mayor - but no great furore about other average politicians getting gongs.

Quite incredible night watching the one and only Sir Paul McCartney. Will post some pictures tomorrow, but can’t resist posting the moment he brought out Ringo Starr to play with him on stage…! #beatles #paulmccartney

As I head to Brighton… In 1976-77, Crystal Palace & Brighton & Hove Albion played each other 5 times (including 3 FA Cup games!) & bad blood between managers Terry Venables and Alan Mullery spawned a club rivalry. Here are the programmes from the initial First Round and replay games. #cpfc #bhafc

They should make a TV drama about this.

Enjoyed hosting a Q&A with the Interim Chair of the Office for Students, Sir David Behan yesterday at the Advance HE conference He struck a good line between recognising some previous missteps from the regulator, a need to focus on core business & an ongoing challenge to higher education providers.

Pep Guardiola pointing out how many games without a Man City win.

Sheer relief around Selhurst Park with a last minute Munoz equaliser for Crystal Palace. The very least we deserved. Important point takes Palace out of the bottom 3. #crystalpalace #cpfc

Surely the verb is “Blueskied” not “skeet”. What do we think?

Good point on the road for Crystal Palace against Aston Villa at Villa Park, especially given the injuries. Worth the wind and the rain, the delayed train to see a decent Palace performance.

It’s days like this as a football fan you have to question your sanity. The weather is wet, windy and cold. The odds of Crystal Palace getting anything other than a comprehensive beating at Aston Villa today is slim. Yet I find myself at Euston ready to head to Birmingham…

Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as Donald Trump’s Attorney General. His second term shaping up to be just as chaotic & unpredictable as the first term.

Beautiful snowy morning on campus at the University of Nottingham @uniofnottingham.bsky.social #nottingham #uksnow #university #highereducation

NEW on Wonkhe: The jury's out on university mergers making savings - unless campuses close. But what happens to those communities then? Jim Dickinson calls for a plan that is interested in place https://buff.ly/3ALOEuW

Greetings from Wembley Can England return to League A of the Nations League with victory over the Republic of Ireland? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇪 ⚽️ #england #ireland #football #wembley #nationsleague

I think it’s fair to say Bluesky is booming. And X is in recession.

Is it starting to dawn on those who are still on X…

We should probably get #followFriday going again like the early years on that “other platform”. Would be a handy way to find out who else has made the journey over from the dark side!

Stars and stripes