Hull students to pay the price of Lib Dem opportunism

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today slammed Coalition Government plans that would allow an unlimited rise in tuition fees in England's universities.

Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable today announced to the House of Commons his approval of a report on higher education from Lord Browne, endorsing as "progressive" recommendations on tuition fees that scrap the current £3,290 cap in favour of a free market where universities set their own charges for different courses.

Mr Cable suggested that students can typically expect to pay tuition fees of about £7,000 - more than double than at present - with the option of still higher levels of fees.

Diana Johnson MP said: "The Coalition Government have rushed to endorse regressive plans that are based on cutting spending on higher education teaching by around two thirds. Raising tuition fees to the degree planned would deter many students from low and middle income from higher education courses, reversing the progress made under the previous Labour Government.

"Only five months ago, before the General Election, Lib Dems in Hull and in every part of the country promised that they would oppose any increase in student tuition fees - and they knew all about the deficit when they made this pledge. Back then Lib Dems even wanted to abolish tuition fees altogether!

"As with their unfair plans to increase VAT, that they also campaigned against before the General Election, the Lib Dems are committing a stunning act of opportunism. Lib Dems are transferring the burden of reducing Government debt onto students from middle and lower income families. It will shackle students not deterred from higher education with major debt lasting decades.

"The severity of the implied cuts to universities will harm higher education in this country and damage the local economy in places such as Hull where universities play such an important role.

"Even any Lib Dem MPs who do not vote for these regressive plans to send tuition fees through the roof will still be responsible for making them possible by keeping this Government in power."

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