Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow has slammed universities for not preparing students for the world of work.

He he has backed calls for tuition fee refunds if students did not receive face-to-face teaching this year.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Robert Halfon, chair of the House of Commons education committee, claimed that universities were “failing to do the most important thing- provide graduates with proper, graduate-paid jobs.”

Robert Halfon, who has recently been made an Honorary Professor by Nottingham Trent University, believes “every course should be about work.”

This Is Local London: Harlow MP Robert Halfon. Harlow MP Robert Halfon.

Mr Halfon suggested that students should spend “part of the week” on every course “doing a job”, he suggested that history students could work at a museum and English students could spend time at a publishing company.

He added that it was “unacceptable” for universities not to provide face-to-face tuition this year” and that “students should get refunds if their institution did not deliver.”

He said, “Given that students are taking out £9,000-plus loans, they should be getting a proper service, and if the universities are not providing that service then they should get their money back.”