Fees will hit Brighton & Hove's students hard

12.54.30pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 10th Jan 2004

Local Liberal Democrat, Paul Elgood was quick to condemn the Government's plans to introduce top-up fees for students. Speaking on the publication day of the Government's bill, Paul Elgood, the Lib Dem Council Group Leader said:

"This Bill must be defeated. The Government are trying to make access to higher education dependent on the ability to pay, when it should be on the ability to learn."

"These plans are likely to mean that many of our brightest local students would no longer be able to afford a university education. It makes a mockery of the Government's claim to be widening opportunities."

Paul believes the Government's proposals will hit many students in Brighton and Hove.

"Local students are going to be hit hard when this is introduced. The Government are fundamentally changing the purpose of a decent education. Graduates will no longer be able to choose valuable, but relatively poorly paid, careers such as teaching."

The Liberal Democrats have a costed and realistic alternative.

"We should ask those earning super salaries to pay a little more through a 50p tax rate on their earnings over £100,000 each year." says Paul.

"This would raise enough to scrap all tuition fees and reintroduce grants of up to £2,000 for students from low income backgrounds, as well scrapping charges for long-term care for the elderly and cutting council tax. Surely this would be a fairer way forward?"

Paul is calling on local Conservatives to join with the Liberal Democrats in opposing the Bill and campaigning for all tuition fees to be scrapped. During the last year Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats have been petitioning against top fees.

Paul says:

"The Conservatives said they would vote against the Bill, but then Conservative leader Michael Howard admitted that the Tories have no alternative policy for funding higher education. If everyone opposed to fees unite to vote "no" in parliament, I believe the Government can be beaten."

Local people wishing to sign the Liberal Democrat petition against fees and top-up fees can do so at www.ScrapTuitionFees.com