A controversial new study has suggested that students from wealthy families should have to pay more in university fees than those from poorer backgrounds.

The study by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said that middle class parents should be forced to pay higher fees and also cover more living costs as the current student loan system is too expensive for the government.

IPPR has said that if the recession is prolonged then there will be increasing pressure on government funding as more students become eligible for loans and grants, while in an economic downturn graduates will take longer to repay their loans.

The influential think tank group have suggested that the government needs to make sure that it has sufficient funding to support poorer students, in light of recent figures released proposing that students will leave university with £23,500 worth of debt.

The National Union of students has warned that students who go to university face a “lifetime of debt”.

The study proposes that wealthier families can contribute more to their children’s education which will in turn leave more public funding for those students who have limited support.

"Some families can clearly contribute to the up-front cost of fees for their children, and as the cost to the Government of providing these loans rises, this option should be analysed."

The government were also called upon to consider introducing loans on a sliding scale so that those from middle and upper class families are entitled to smaller maximum amounts.

The government has reiterated that it fully supports those from poorer backgrounds having access to further education. A spokesman for the Department for Business Innovation and Skills issued a statement advising this.

"This Government is committed to ensuring that finance is not a barrier to people going to university whatever their background which is why we are spending £5billion on student support this year alone, with about 40 percent of students receiving a full grant.

We will be launching an independent review of fees later this year which will which will look at all aspects of student finance and support for students.”