| University Fees |
| The issue: |
Dear Sir George ,
I am writing to you as a member of your constituency and a student of Durham University. Durham Students’ Union is currently pursuing a campaign regarding the funding of higher education and I hope that we can count on your support.
A recent study by the National Union of Students has found that the average student is £25,000 in debt on graduation. This is a figure that may significantly increase when an independent review of the top-up fee system is launched in September 2009.
Already we hear suggestions emanating from government and universities that the cap on fees will be significantly raised, or at worst, removed. We have recently seen a BBC survey suggesting that university Vice Chancellors would support increases in tuition fees of between £4,000 and £20,000. The worst scenario are Universities being able to charge variable fees.
Whilst aware of the importance of maintaining high standards in research and teaching, we believe that the brightest students should be able to attend the best universities without the fear of debt hanging over them. Additional funding should come from sources that will not restrict access, such as investment from the government or the introduction of a graduate tax.
Durham students recognise that they must make a contribution towards their education, but a balance must be struck in order that higher education is available to all, regardless of background or financial circumstance.
The situation is worse for students outside of Durham. I am the very lucky position to be at a very good university at the moment. However given the current economic climate is significantly harder for graduates to find jobs. Those who do not graduate from universities of the same standard will be leaving university with so much debt and a much smaller chance of being able to pay it back as quickly as those who graduated previously.
I hope that you will consider our position and oppose above-inflation increases in tuition fees, especially if it comes to a vote at parliament. Any help you can give to students is truly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
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| Date Issue Raised: |
17 Mar 2009 |
| My response: |
Thank you for your email dated March 17th about the cap on university fees.
I agree that that people should not be priced out of education, a principle central to my belief that we need to take a fresh look at student financial arrangements.
My colleague, David Willetts MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, has called on the Government to bring forward its review of tuition fees so that we may better understand the effect that the new variable fees regime is having on students and on higher education institutions. It is only backed by the facts that this review will bring that we can go on to make informed plans for the future of fee caps.
There is now enough data on admissions and drop-out rates for the Government to begin assessments of, for example, whether poorer people are being put off going to university because of financial constraint, and whether universities themselves are in a strong enough financial position to lead the world in research and to offer the best and most rewarding experience for their students.
Best wishes, George Young
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Sir George Young Bt MP: Constituency and Parliamentary Website 