LibDems say it's time to scrap tuition fees

12.00.00am GMT Fri 23rd Jan 2004

Hounslow Liberal Democrats have waded into the argument with regard to university tuition fees and have hit out at the Government's plans to introduce top up fees.

Hounslow LibDem Education spokesman, Cllr. Andrew Morgan-Watts, commented: "We believe that tuition fees act as a disincentive to further education. Young people are well aware of the burden of debt associated with university studies. Labour's plans to add to those debts through top up fees are ridiculous. We believe that a large proportion of the funding gained using this method will be swallowed up in administration costs. What about payment defaults and students who, once graduated, obtain employment abroad? Are we going to instigate a witch-hunt to track them down? Are we prepared to take students to court for payment defaults? We will have the spectre of debt-ridden students or young people with CCJs (County Court Judgements) against them."

"We have been contacted by a number of concerned young people, parents and grandparents and we will be calling for the abolition of tuition fees and top up fees."

Cllr. Morgan-Watts also stated that, "Liberal Democrats believe that many of Hounslow's brightest youngsters will be deprived of a university education and this makes a mockery of Government claims to be widening opportunities. It will make it harder for Hounslow students, coming from Comprehensive schools, to aspire to obtaining a degree. We believe that the only fair and workable system for university funding would be the re-introduction of grants of up to £2,000 for students from low income backgrounds, thus enabling deserving students the opportunity to realise their full potential."