Keep Cornwall Fee-Free!

Under the present Government system, where students are charged tuition fees of up to £1,100 a year, the average student debt at graduation stands at £12,000. If the Government go through with their plans to introduce £3,000 top-up fees and other changes, debts are expected to double to £24,000.

A report for the Lib Dem team for Cornwall shows that Cornish graduates could face 20 years of debt repayments - enough to deter all but the most determined Cornish students. You can read the report here.

Nationally, Lib Dem plans would see higher education funded not by unfair taxes on students and their families, but by a progressive tax system. Using part of the funds from a slightly higher rate of tax on income over £100,000 a year, we would abolish student tuition and top-up fees altogether.

Huge debts will deter students from less well off backgrounds from going to University, and Cornwall has a higher proportion of the population on low incomes than anywhere else in the country. At the least, we believe Ministers must guarantee that the Combined University in Cornwall will not charge top-up fees, given low wages in Cornwall.

In May I called a Parliamentary debate on the impact of tuition and top-up fees on Cornish students. You can read my speech and Minister Margaret Hodge's reply.

Conservatives until recently supported top-up fees. However, they reversed their position in May, but unfortunately would only scrap tuition and top-up fees by cutting 100,000 new University places. That means no University for Cornwall for example, plus no new funds for Universities for better facilities etc. It could leave Cornish students with no tuition fees, but no University place either! That said, what is helpful is that combined Lib Dem, Conservative and back bench Labour opposition to top-up fees could yet defeat the Government plans for top-up fees if we keep up the pressure.

If you would like to support my campaign for a Fee-Free Cornwall, please sign the petition below so I can let the Government know your views.