Reports in today's media suggest that the prime minister is considering restoring grants for Britain's poorest students.

The reports say that Tony Blair is thinking of introducing a graduate tax to be paid over 25 years after leaving university.

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com: "Universities UK believes that there should be adequate support for the poorest students so that they are not deterred from entering higher education. We are aware that this [means-tested grants] is one of the options being considered.

"However, we are very clear that additional funding for students must not be at the expense of funding for institutions - as we've outlined in our submission to the government's 2002 spending review."