UNIVERSITY TUITION FEES

That this House expresses its profound concern about the Government's plan to introduce top-up fees for university students; notes that the recent Government research shows that poorer students are the worst affected by student debt; further notes that the Government's proposals would mean students incurring even more debt than the unprecedented levels currently experienced; further notes that growing numbers of universities are expressing concern that the benefits for them of an uncertain and unpredictable extra funding scheme may be more than outweighed by the loss of independence, especially over admission policy, involved; believes that the system of repayment of tuition costs after graduation operated in Scotland causes real problems for many graduates, especially those in lower paid, vocational jobs like teaching and scientific research; and calls on the Government to withdraw this damaging proposal and honour its pledge in the 2001 Labour Manifesto to rule out top-up fees.