The Cambridge Union Society has stated that it has no plans to reduce its life membership fees to £10, contrary to claims published in The Cambridge Student (TCS) last week.

Varsity can now confirm that the front-page article in TCS was based on incorrect “speculation” concerning changes to funding at the Union, rather than on facts.

The story in TCS maintained that due to a significant boost in corporate revenue the Union would be able to reduce their membership fees by a substantial amount.

The article also stated that the Union had not settled on an exact figure, but did quote Union President, James Counsell, as naming £10 as a “symbolic fee” in light of funding changes which might allow the Union to abolish fees entirely. The official line from the Union, however, was unequivocal.

In an email to members, the Union established that, “Contrary to the story reported in TCS last week, the Union has no plans whatsoever for a radical reduction in the cost of membership.

“TCS mistook speculation concerning the Union’s funding over the coming decade for a concrete plan for an immediate reduction.”

Union President, James Counsell, told Varsity, “The officers of the Union are of course concerned about the affordability of membership, and we regret that the current price reflects the great cost of running the society.

“Unfortunately for the foreseeable future there is no way to fund the Union without the significant contribution of the membership fee.”

To many, the proposed reduction in fees was baffling when considered alongside the Union’s 2009 figures, which showed that while membership fees had raised £133,430, corporate income was only at £46,257.

Given the disparity, it appeared highly unlikely that the Union could suddenly raise enough corporate income to drastically reduce membership fees, let alone eradicate them completely.

Currently the price of life membership is £155.50 with £85.50 for annual membership although there is always a reduction for freshers in Michaelmas.

One student remarked, “Considering that members sometimes have to pay to get into Union events, I don’t expect that the Union has a great deal of money to play with.”

They added, “It seemed strange that they could suddenly offer such a massive membership discount compared with previous years.”

Despite the obstacles to reducing the membership fee, Counsell has stated that the Union is committed to making the organisation as accessible to students as possible.

“In order to mediate the burden on students, we have expanded our bursary scheme to cover all EU countries,” he said.

“In addition, our referral scheme is now in place, which gives £30 bar credit to any member who is with somebody as they join.”