William Straw, Oxford University's Students' Union president, has won the support of the city council in his battle against top-up fees.

Mr Straw is one the authors of a critical report from the Aldwych group, representing students from Britain's 18 leading universities.

The report condemns the top-up fees scheme being considered by the Government, which could see students charged up to £10,500 a year, depending on the status of the university they attend.

Oxford would be one of the most expensive.

Mr Straw, whose father, Jack Straw, is Foreign Secretary, told the meeting: "I cannot see how increasing the fees to £10,500, or indeed to more modest levels, could do anything but increase student debt and lead to fewer people applying from poorer socio-economic groups."

Green councillor Dr Mike Woodin, a psychology lecturer at Balliol College, said Mr Straw had put the case very well.

He added: "I'm passionately determined that I'll not be offering tuition on the basis of people's ability to pay."

Rick Muir, Labour city councillor, said the council should oppose any system of funding which would lead to access to higher education based on the ability to pay, rather than the potential to learn.

He added that the forthcoming review into student funding should not lead to a situation where potential students were deterred from studying by inadequate financial means.

"The introduction of top-up fees would act as a deterrent to the stated aim of equality of opportunity in higher education," he added.

The council agreed that chief executive Marion Headicar should write to Education Secretary Charles Clarke to express concern over the idea of top-up fees.