The Construction Confederation has welcomed the introduction of university top-up fees, claiming it may boost applications for vocational courses.
MPs will vote on Tuesday on the controversial plans for variable rate student fees, which have been criticised for discouraging people continuing into higher education.

A Construction Confederation spokesperson said that the proposed changes could lead students to enrol in work-based courses, in particular those linked to the building industry.

He said: "Further fees might heighten people's consciousness of the commercial worth of their degrees, and as a result, we might see vocational degrees becoming more popular, which would surely benefit construction."

The spokesperson warned of the dangers of an increasingly demand-led educational system, which might damage existing training schemes.

He also slammed the government's record on construction training and called for extra assistance.