TOP-UP FEES FEATURE:The question of university top-up fees is a political hot potato which comes to a head with the vote in the House of Commons today. BHAVANI VADDE speaks to politicians, parents and students to find out just where they stand on a controversy which has been going on for months.

AS Tony Blair fights to win the vote over controversial top-up fees Swindon parents and students say that the financial burden of higher education is already too heavy.

But the cost of gaining a degree may rise even further if the Higher Education Bill gets through parliament.

The Government wants to plug university under-funding by making graduates shoulder more of the cost rather than being subsidised by the rest of society the taxpayer.

Under the proposals, upfront fees of £1,125 will be scrapped and universities will be able to charge up to £3,000 from 2006.

The amount is up to the university and could vary depending on subject.

The fees would be repayable after graduation by those earning more than £15,000 and the debt would be written off in 25 years if not repaid.

Student loans will still be available and Education Secretary Charles Clarke has made some concessions to win over Labour rebels who are against the proposals.

This includes bringing back maintenance grants of up to £1,500 for poorer students on top of waiving £1,200 of the fees.

But critics of the proposals believe that variable fees would encourage students to choose a university based on how much they think they can afford to repay rather than the best or most appropriate course.

Chris Martin, 17, president of the National Union of Students at New College, thinks fees should be abolished altogether.

The A Level student said: "I am against tuition fees because I think the whole country benefits from university graduates.

"Students fulfilling their education and a buoyant economy go hand in hand."

But he doesn't feel variable fees will necessarily be bad for poorer students.

"If you attend a better university and receive a better education then you are more likely to earn a higher wage.

"Students with richer parents find it easier to pay upfront fees but under the new scheme you won't have to pay that back until you earn a certain amount.

"But there is the chance that psychologically, people from lower income backgrounds might have lower expectations about their earning power which might put them off going to more expensive universities."

South Swindon MP Julia Drown said her fears about the Bill had been assuaged and she would be voting in favour.

"The Government has made a number of concessions after concerns were raised by constituents and MPs.

"I hope the majority of families will support it once they see the details.

"The abolition of upfront fees and the reintroduction of significant grants will encourage more people from poorer families to go to university because graduates only pay fees back if they earn over certain sums. It is not like a credit card debt.

"I think there is a real prospect that through universities and employers developing more bursaries this scheme will allow more people to enjoy the benefits of higher education."

Michael Wills, the MP for North Swindon , has predicted disaster for Tony Blair in tonight's crucial vote.

He said that the ballot was balanced on a knife-edge and that it looked to be tipping against the Prime Minister and his top-up fee plans.

Mr Wills said: "I'm going to be supporting it and always have done, but many of my colleagues are not.

"It is a difficult one to call but all the indications are that the Government will lose."