“Government proposes ‘Double-or-Quits’ Gamble for Students.”
Commenting on the Government's new proposals for student finance, announced today by Charles Clark, Secretary of State for Education, Bath MP Don Foster said...

“This package represents a complete sell out for our students and univer-sities. At best, it forces the next generation to gamble on whether their degree is worth the cost of top-up and tuition fees – an average debt of £18-20k.

“But my greatest concern is that the Government has slashed the already-limited chance young people from our most disadvantaged backgrounds have of going to a university. It has effectively excluded them from the top-five universities – of which Bath University is one.

“British higher education will no longer provide life-changing opportunities for the talented but will increasingly become a bastion of the rich - hardly a fitting legacy for a Labour Government.

“Today’s students from less well off backgrounds can get a place at a top university and pay nothing in fees. Tomorrow’s students will now face a £20,000 ‘golden noose’, on graduation.

"Government research confirms that current levels of debt are even now putting off our poorest young people from entering higher education. A recent study found that 20% of all 3rd or 4th year students owe more than £10,000, debt rose by 26% last year, and 43% of all students work during term time.

“The burden of debt created by this policy will fall most heavily on women – who, on average, unfortunately earn 38% less than their male counterparts.”

ENDS.

Notes for Editors:

The Government this afternoon published their higher education white paper, which includes plans to allow universities to charge top-up fees. Further details available from:
www.dfee.gov.uk or news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2680991.stm; report source: Unite.