‘Most universities have healthy balance sheets,’ says Damian HindsThe education secretaryDamian Hindshas branded claims of financial hardship among universities as “scaremongering”, amid speculation the government is ready to cuttuition fees.The Conservative minister said “hyperbolic warnings” were misrepresenting the predicament of higher education institutions, claiming most of them have healthy balance sheets.Mr Hinds made the comments after concerns were raised that cutting tuition fees could push several universities into bankruptcy. Alistair Jarvis, chief executive ofUniversities UK, said any reduction must be made up in full by the government.A review of tuition fees commissioned by Theresa May, the prime minister, is reportedly set to recommend a reduction in the cap in annual costs from £9,000 to £7,500.Mr Hinds said: “The financial sustainability of our universities is clearly important … but with the vast majority of universities in a good financial position, hyperbolic warnings from some on universities’ finances are distorting the overall picture.”He added that the country’s universities had enjoyed rising student numbers and increased tuition fee income since the financial crash.Mr Hinds said: “I do understand universities are facing some challenges, but reports of financial hardship across the entire sector is scaremongering.“Most universities have healthy balance sheets. We’ve been seeing growth in international student admissions, with much further potential. And the number of 18-year-olds in England is soon to enter a period of sustained growth.“I will do all I can to ensure the sector is financially stable now and in the future, but of course institutions need to act responsibly and develop sustainably.”Mr Jarvis has warned cutting fees would lead to “bigger class sizes, poorer facilities, labs and libraries, a worsening student experience, job cuts and less money to support access and retention”. “It could damage research, reduces the number of highly-skilled employees that business needs and harm our international competitiveness,” he toldFE News.“If Theresa May’s review of post-18 education recommends a cut in tuition fees, the funding gap must be made up in full by a government teaching grant. A funding cut for universities would be a political choice which harms students, the economy and communities that benefit from universities.”Students during a protest calling for the abolition of tuition fees(PA)According to figures from Universities UK, £35.7bn went into UK higher education institutions in 2016-17. Less than half (46.9 per cent) came from fees related to teaching – £16.7bn – while government funding for teaching represented 9.1 per cent.Last February Ms May launched a review of post-18 education led by finance expert and author Philip Augar. The review is “expected” to recommend a cut when it reports back next week, according to theBBC.来源：https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/university-tuition-