Question: Does the Unite/MORI research show that the new top-up fee regime is having less impact than people thought?

Bill Rammell: The Unite/MORI is a snapshot in 2005 - the research does not tell us anything directly about students incurring variable fees for the first time in 2006/07.

However, the survey confirms that the policy of asking students to make a contribution towards their university education, for their future benefit, by repaying loans when they can afford to pay, has not lead to widespread concern about debt.

Going forward, concerns over debt should be eased further, thanks to the introduction of the new student financial support package in September 2006.

Under the new package, students don't pay a penny for fees or loans until they're in work and earning more than £15,000, and even then they could be paying as little as £5.19 per week.

We have also brought back non-repayable grants of up to £2,700. The improved package is designed so that everyone with the ability and desire has the opportunity to enjoy higher education, just like the students in this year's survey.

Question: Do you believe top-up fees make students value their courses more and choose more carefully?

Bill Rammell: Students already value their universities tremendously - nine out of 10 have a favourable impression, 96 per cent say going to university is a worthwhile experience. There's no reason for this to change.

It is, of course, a good thing for students to choose courses carefully whether now or in the future - this evidence suggests that the great majority are already doing so.

In fact the second national student survey is now underway. First hand feedback from graduates has proved invaluable in helping prospective students and their advisers make informed choices.

Higher education should be an investment for students, so it is vital they know that the decisions they make offer them the best value for their money as well as bringing about further improvements in the quality of colleges and universities.

The student survey is a powerful tool for bringing about change and performance improvement.

Question: How can students and the wider community be brought closer together, and can students have a positive impact on their communities?

Bill Rammell: As the Unite survey shows, the majority of students believe in closer connections to the established communities that they live in - 67 per cent of students agreed that students should become more involved in the area that they live in.

Students bring many benefits to established communities ranging from contributing to economic revival to adding to the richness and variety of an area's cultural and social life.

Universities UK will be publishing its joint report (with the Standing Conference of Principals and the Local Government Association) on students and communities later this week, which looks at both the positives of students living in residential communities and good practice about addressing any problems that can arise from this.