TORY POLICIES COULD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PRIVATE SCHOOL PUPILS

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 26th Oct 2004

David Rendel MP led Liberal Democrat MPs through the Commons division lobby yesterday to vote down a Conservative motion calling for a complete state withdrawal from university admissions policy.

Mr Rendel took part in the debate as the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Higher Education.

Commenting, he said:

"The Tories say that universities can do whatever they want with taxpayers' money. A Vice-Chancellor could decide not to admit a single student from a private school, and government would be powerless to intervene to prevent discrimination.

"Of course government should not seek to manage admissions policy. But it is perfectly legitimate for elected politicians to ensure that there is a level playing field. Higher education receives a large amount of public money, and it is vital that the system of admissions is fair."

The Conservatives are also calling for commercial rates of interest to be imposed on student loans, resulting in a potential 25% hike in payments for the poorest students.

ENDS