The Conservatives have not ruled out increasing tuition fees above the current maximum of £9,000 a year, William Hague has said.

But the First Secretary of State claimed Labour was putting out ‘scare stories’ over the issue, designed to frighten voters ahead of Thursday’s poll.

Mr Hague’s remarks followed Nick Clegg’s refusal to answer – under questioning from Labour’s Yvette Cooper – if he would rule out an increase in fees. The coalition presided over a rise in university tuition fees from around £3,000 a year to a maximum of £9,000 in 2012.