I don't know much about England's government. Those figures for public universities are similar to American numbers, so I don't see anything horrible about that; somewhere along the line, the UK government spent more every year than it had, and it now has to start paying that off. They don't really have a choice. The best students can usually get a scholarship or something anyway, so the best of the best will get an education either way.
One thing I'll say, I'm very worried about the US. We have the same deficit problem, but we're not correcting it. Britain is, no matter how unpopular it may be.
There is very much a class system in the United Kingdom. Some call it a meritocracy, where those who want to do well, succeed in life. Such as, those with the skills and knowledge, or the merit to do well. But that is not the case. It is those with money who can afford to buy the skills and knowledge (education and degrees) who succeed in life.
When Tony Blair was elected to power more than 12 years ago now, his motto was "Education, Education, Education". Yet we saw no improvements during his 8+ years in power. Instead, there was war in iraq, health cuts and massive spending which led up to the recent economic recession. Tony Blair stepped down and Gordon Brown who was Chancellor of the Ex-Chequer, incharge of finance) during Blairs reign, took control. With no election. Finally, we have an election and there is no clear winner, so instead now we have two governments with conflicting views. One half of our government promised us no education cuts, no increase in spending and better accessibility for education for everyone. The other half of our government promised to demilitarize vast sectors of our economy and free up budgets and spending by decommissioning nuclear programmes (nuclear and civil).
the sad fact is, that neither halves of our government are holding their promises and as a result people are taking to the streets because of it. People took to the streets and protested before the Iraq invasion. Now they do so again.
They don't really have a choice. The best students can usually get a scholarship or something anyway, so the best of the best will get an education either way.
The choice is clear. Abandon our nuclear project. The British Empire has been dead for a long time. Instead of looking at our nation as a great world power, we must instead realize that we are just a small island off the coast of Europe (not even a particularly nice coast either). The recent economic crisis has put it into perspective that we are but one small nation in the grand scheme of things. By destroying the right to education by making an already expensive venture [getting a degree] cost 3x more is just alienating the already oppressed and poor people who previously had no chance of getting into university in the first place.
If these cuts go ahead, it will be a massive step backwards for Great Britain and its ancient universities...
The most ironic fact about it is that David Cameron (current leader of the Conservatives) is currently in China giving a lecture to students there, on how they, as a nation "must not be greedy", and should "consider the opportunity of studying in Britain"...
PS. I know very little (absolutely nothing) about politics. I just voice my opinion on these matters from what I read between the news and piece together from the internet. All legitimate sources though of course.
None.