Clegg Admits Tuition Fee Mistakes: LBC Exclusive

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Nick Clegg has admitted to LBC that the government could have done a better job explaining the rise in tuition fees.

It comes as Imperial College has become the first university in England to charge the new £9,000 maximum level of fees.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari on LBC 97.3, the Deputy Prime Minister insisted students won't pay any money up front while at University. He said: "I clearly think we could have taken more time or be more compelling in our explanation for the changes.

"Because whilst I take into account that people may have legitimate objections to what we're doing, I think a lot of people have a lot of misconceptions about what we're doing. A lot of myths and misinformation."

Nick Clegg has also told us he's opposed to weakening public protection against sex offenders.

Paedophiles and rapists are to be allowed to appeal against being put on the sex offenders register for life following a decision at the Supreme Court last year.

Mr Clegg's told LBC the government will consider the ruling carefully, stating: "It really would be daft of me to try to anticipate what the details of the Home Office response will be, but let me be very very clear.

"I am personally, and I believe I speak for the whole government, staunchly opposed to anything public protection against people who have committed really really serious - in some cases, almost evil - sexual offences. We're not going to do that."

Clegg also admitted that, while he supports David Cameron's Big Society, he does not currently do any volunteer work, claiming that his job and his three young children take up too much of his time.

Listen to the main parts of the interview below...