The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has warned that tuition fees are deterring students from going to university. The union, which represents school and university staff, is to address a demonstration in Trafalgar Square on Sunday. It says that plans to lift the pound;3,000 fees cap will quicken the decline of applications, particularly from poorer families and those in fear of debt. “Access to high quality education should never become the preserve of students from wealthy backgrounds and a few lucky scholarship holders,” the union said.