Martin welcomes Lib Dem pledge to scrap tuition fees

1.07.00pm GMT Sat 7th Mar 2009

CHELTENHAM MP Martin Horwood, attending the Lib Dem spring conference in Harrogate, has welcomed a fresh pledge by the party to scrap tuition fees for all students in full-time and part-time Higher Education. Delegates at the conference today voted overwhelmingly to reaffirm the party's stand against fees.

'Now more than ever we understand the risk of pushing people into more and more debt' said Martin. 'It is obscene that we are now landing a generation of young people in Cheltenham and elsewhere with a combination of fee loans, maintenance loans and commercial debt that will leave many graduating more than £20,000 in debt. By 2010, some £9,000 of that debt will be the result of tuition fees.'

'A few with the richest parents will be paying the fees up front' said Martin 'Many less well-off students try to avoid the spiralling debt by taking on too much paid work on top of their degree and damaging their prospects. Tragically, others will be put off Higher Education altogether for fear of the financial risk. This situation is just not fair. We urgently need to lift this crippling burden on our young people and their families. I am delighted that the Lib Dems have reaffirmed their commitment to this important policy. '