Tax increases for top earners should be introduced to fund the expansion of higher education, lecturers have said.

Paul Mackney, the leader of lecturers' union Natfhe, said a new tax rate of 50% should be set for people earning more than £100,000 a year.

Speaking at the union's conference in Blackpool, he said:"Just as the expansion of primary education in the 19th century and secondary education in the 20th came from the public purse, so the costs for widening participation to higher education in the 21st should come from the exchequer.

"We've been advocating a policy of top-up taxes rather than top-up fees.

"Billions could be raised through a new tax rate of 50% on those with incomes over £100,000 a year.

"They'd barely notice it and that would ensure that those in that bracket who have benefited from education pay something back."