TOP-UP FEES DISASTER FOR STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITIES

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Jan 2004

David Rendel MP has condemned the Government's statement today, confirming that they will go ahead and legislate to impose university top-up fees.

Mr Rendel said:

"Top-up fees will mean that students will graduate with much higher debts - as high as £30,000 by 2010. This will put many off the idea of going to university, particularly those from low income backgrounds.

"It would be much fairer to follow the Liberal Democrat plan to scrap all tuition fees, to reintroduce grants of up to £2000, and to pay for universities by asking for a greater income tax contribution from those earning more than £100,000."