COLCHESTER MP Bob Russell has vowed he will not turn his back on students.

The Lib Dem backbencher has reaffirmed his commitment to fight his Government’s plans to lift the limit on tuition fees.

An independent review on student finance recommended the £3,290 cap is lifted on higher education tuition fees – meaning they could at least double.

Prime Minister David Cameron has warned Liberal Democrats they will have to compromise.

But Mr Russell said it was a fundamental right for people, whatever their financial background, to be able to study for a degree.

He said he would stick by his pre-election pledge against hiking up the fees.

Mr Russell said: “Before the elections, I signed a very public pledge and I will not be turning my back on it.

“To do so would be disgraceful, especially only five months later.

“Raising university fees and lifting the cap would only widen still further equalities in this country, which have already widened in the past 13 years.

“It will mean it is even less likely that people from low-income familes, and even middle-income familes, will be able to go to university”

Thousands of teenagers will today learn if they will be priced out of going to university.

Lord Browne’s report is widely tipped to lift the limit on tuition prices from £3,290 to at least £7,000 as part of a money-saving package for the Government.

Top-ranking universities like Oxford or Cambridge would be able to charge up to £12,000 a year, to reflect their standing.