The Browne Report into higher education in England has called for the removal of a cap on tuition fees.

It is expected that the recommendations will now pave the way for the creation of market conditions in universities as institutions set their own fee caps.

Lord Browne, the former Chairman of BP who headed the investigation, has stated that £12,000 a year would a desirable limit.

Under the proposals, the Government would be obligated to providing funding for loans of up to £7,000, with universities having to provide the extra loan funding on any further rises.

In response to the recommendations, Business Secretary Vince Cable praised the "persuasive proposals" of the report, defending it and labelling it "fair and progressive."

The National Union of Students (NUS) reacted angrily to the proposals. NUS President, Aaron Porter said:"To make the next generation pick up the bills for cuts and force students to pay even more for less would be both unsustainable and unjust."

Students in England currently pay £3,290 a year in tuition fees. English students pay £1,820 a year to study in Scotland. If the recommendations are adopted they would only impact directly upon students in England.

However, as The Student reported last week, it is likely that English students studying in Scotland will have their fees hiked, as demand for places north of the border increases due to fee increases in England.

EUSA President Liz Rawlings told The Student that tuition fee increases in England will mean that "Scottish universities will struggle to compete with their wealthier counterparts elsewhere in the UK."

"English universities would have greater resources and thus better research and teaching," Rawlings added "This is unjust and unsustainable."