Press Releases for 2004
RAISING TUITION FEES WILL DAMAGE LOCAL ECONOMY
11th January 2004Canterbury District Green Party is very concerned about the effects upon the local economy if £3000 student Tuition fees are introduced. The main objection of young people expecting to go to University is that this would mean even more debt. Dr Geoff Meaden comments:
"If students are deterred from attending one of the three Higher Education institutions in Canterbury by tuition fees, then the local economy will suffer and local jobs will diminish. Our local council should take a lead in opposing Tuition fees, following the example of Scotland where student grants have been re-introduced. The Green Party calls for return to student grants and for more apprenticeships so that the UK's wide variety of skills shortages can be reduced.
"Student debt at the end of a degree delays home purchase and the start of a family. Future students are clearly very concerned about the Government's intention to increase their debts and make their future circumstances even more difficult. How are parents supposed to save for their own pensions whilst having to increase financial support for children in Higher Education? We already know that university drop-out rates have increased since tuition fees were first introduced in 1998, a serious problem given UK skills shortages. About 40% of those students who do stay on are working an average 13 hours a week, which is detrimental to their studies. There are already many who are enduring what Ivor Crewe of Universities UK called "a pretty poor student experience". Government proposals, if implemented, will make this worse." ENDS c261 words
FURTHER INFORMATION: Geoff Meaden, on 01227 456806 or 01227 767700. Contact address for this release 33 St. Stephens Road, Canterbury. Dr Meaden is a Senior Lecturer in Geography at Canterbury Christchurch University College.
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