Council notes that:
(i) the coalition government proposes to scrap the current cap on tuition fees of £3,290 allowing universities to charge up to three times as much with fees of £9,000 per annum;
(ii) the proposals will leave a 21 year-old student from Medway with a debt of up to £27,000, on leaving a 3 year course, a medical student with debts of up to £50,000;
(iii) the Liberal Democrats proposed the abolition of fees during the General Election in 2010 and signed a pledge, led by NUS, to vote against an increase in student fees;
(iv) the coalition government proposes to scrap the Educational Maintenance Allowance paid to low income further education students.
Council believes:
(i) this move will target those from disadvantaged backgrounds and deter poorer students from applying to University, making the higher education system inaccessible for many;
(ii) students who do choose university will be forced to choose the cheapest course not the one that is best for them, poorer students will be priced out of better quality courses and institutions;
(iii) in a period of welfare, public sector and job cuts, education and training opportunities for young people are vital to reduce unemployment. The proposed increase in tuition fees, coupled with the proposed cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and cuts to the education budget, will undermine the life chances of Medway’s young people, and thus the future prosperity of Medway;
(iv) the Liberal Democrats have betrayed voters and have undertaken a u-turn on tuition fees, which will leave future generations of students with unprecedented levels of debt.
Council resolves:
(i) to urge all group leaders to write to Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, and highlight the negative impact these proposals will have on the Universities at Medway, as well as future generations of students from the area - especially pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds;
(ii) to write to each of the three Medway MPs and urge them to vote against any legislation that will increase tuition fees.
Minutes:
“Council notes that:
(i) the coalition government proposes to scrap the current cap on tuition fees of £3,290 allowing universities to charge up to three times as much with fees of £9,000 per annum;
(ii) the proposals will leave a 21 year-old student from Medway with a debt of up to £27,000, on leaving a 3 year course, a medical student with debts of up to £50,000;
(iii) the Liberal Democrats proposed the abolition of fees during the General Election in 2010 and signed a pledge, led by NUS, to vote against an increase in student fees;
(iv) the coalition government proposes to scrap the Educational Maintenance Allowance paid to low income further education students.
Council believes:
(i) this move will target those from disadvantaged backgrounds and deter poorer students from applying to University, making the higher education system inaccessible for many;
(ii) students who do choose university will be forced to choose the cheapest course not the one that is best for them, poorer students will be priced out of better quality courses and institutions;
(iii) in a period of welfare, public sector and job cuts, education and training opportunities for young people are vital to reduce unemployment. The proposed increase in tuition fees, coupled with the proposed cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and cuts to the education budget, will undermine the life chances of Medway’s young people, and thus the future prosperity of Medway;
(iv) the Liberal Democrats have betrayed voters and have undertaken a u-turn on tuition fees, which will leave future generations of students with unprecedented levels of debt.
Council resolves:
(i) to urge all group leaders to write to Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, and highlight the negative impact these proposals will have on the Universities at Medway, as well as future generations of students from the area - especially pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds;
(ii) to write to each of the three Medway MPs and urge them to vote against any legislation that will increase tuition fees.”
Councillor Wicks, supported by
Councillor Wildey, proposed an
amendment that the motion be replaced with:
“Council notes that:
(i) the coalition government proposes to scrap the current cap on tuition fees of £3,290 allowing universities to charge up to three times as much with fees of £9,000 per annum;
(ii) the proposals will leave a 21 year-old student from Medway with a debt of up to £27,000, on leaving a 3 year course, a medical student with debts of up to £50,000;
(iii) the Liberal Democrats proposed the abolition of fees during the General Election in 2010 and signed a pledge, led by NUS, to vote against an increase in student fees;
(iv) the coalition government proposes to scrap the Educational Maintenance Allowance paid to low income further education students.
Council resolves:
(i) to urge all group leaders to write to Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, and highlight the negative impact these proposals will have on the Universities at Medway, as well as future generations of students from the area - especially pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds;
(ii) to write to each of the three Medway MPs and urge them to vote against any legislation that will increase tuition fees excessively.”
On being put to the vote the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.
On being put to the vote the new substantive motion was carried and agreed.
Decision:
The Council noted that:
(i) the coalition government proposed to scrap the current cap on tuition fees of £3,290 allowing universities to charge up to three times as much with fees of £9,000 per annum;
(ii) the proposals would leave a 21 year-old student from Medway with a debt of up to £27,000, on leaving a 3 year course, a medical student with debts of up to £50,000;
(iii) the Liberal Democrats proposed the abolition of fees during the General Election in 2010 and signed a pledge, led by NUS, to vote against an increase in student fees;
(iv) the coalition government proposed to scrap the Educational Maintenance Allowance paid to low income further education students.
Council resolved:
(i) to urge all group leaders to write to Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, and highlight the negative impact these proposals will have on the Universities at Medway, as well as future generations of students from the area - especially pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds;
(ii) to write to each of the three Medway MPs and urge them to vote against any legislation that will increase tuition fees excessively.