Prescott gives a boost to university-fee rebels

Tony Blair was under fierce new pressure over university tuition fees today after his deputy, John Prescott, gave heart to the Labour rebels.

Mr Prescott broke ranks on the central cause of the conflict - the right of top universities to charge more than the rest.

Asked whether the Government might drop its plans for variable fees for different universities and courses, he replied: "These are debates that are going on at the moment and is contested, so let us wait until the outcome of the debate.

"We recognise the sensibilities that our people have, and they do have justification for some of these arguments."

Mr Prescott's comments on the BBC's Breakfast with Frost appeared to clash with Education Secretary Charles Clarke. In a letter to the rebels, who now total more than 150, Mr Clarke acknowledged there were serious doubts. But his letter stressed that the Government "remain convinced that a variable-fee system benefits both students and universities".

Downing Street now faces the embarrassing task of squaring the mixed messages from the top levels of government with Mr Prescott's words certain to embolden the rebels.

Mr Clarke is poised to offer a number of concessions on other aspects of the scheme. They range from a bursary scheme, funded by wealthier universities to help less well-off students to bigger maintenance grants and loans at low interest rates. But without a U-turn on variable fees issue, Mr Blair still faces a risk of defeat when the Commons votes next month.