Debate divided over tuition fee subsidies, says Prof Ian Diamond

A debate is continuing over whether Welsh students at universities outside Wales should have their tuition fees subsidised.

Currently, the Welsh government pays up to £5,190 a year of a Welsh student's tuition fees - typically £9,000 - wherever in the UK they are studying and regardless of their family's income.

Welsh universities have argued that the money spent on tuition fee subsidies - £229m a year in 2014/15 - would be better spent helping poorer students with their living costs.

In his interim report on the future of student finance in Wales, Prof Ian Diamond said most respondents to his review said the status quo was not an option, but there was little agreement on the way forward.