Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has spoken out against the Coalition Government’s proposals to hike university tuition fees following today’s (9th December) Commons debate on the issue. Catherine met with students from her constituency in Westminster before the debate took place, and will vote against the Government’s Motion on the issue. The sheer number of Labour MPs wanting to speak in the debate today meant that Catherine was unable to air her views in the Commons.
Catherine said:
“The strength on feeling on this issue is visible – with students marching recently through Newcastle and the peaceful ‘occupation’ of both Newcastle University and Civic Centre. The strength of feeling is also understandable, particularly given the vigorous campaign against tuition fees waged by the Liberal Democrats in Newcastle during the General Election campaign. No wonder young people in Newcastle feel misled and let down. Regardless of whether they voted in favour of the Coalition’s tuition fee proposals or not – the Lib Dems now in Government are responsible for delivering precisely the opposite of what they campaigned for just 6 months ago.
“I am very concerned that the Coalition’s proposals for tuition fees will leave young people saddled with a lifetime of debt. These plans will also put off many young people across the North East – particularly from lower income backgrounds – from even thinking about going to university when faced with paying back up to £9,000 fees a year. This will be compounded by the Government’s abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance and AimHigher programme.
“I firmly believe that we should be investing in all our young people and their skills, whether vocational or academic. At a time when the rest of the developed world is investing in its higher education system, it beggars belief that this Government thinks slashing university funding will help the UK to grow its way out of recession.
“I am also extremely concerned about the impact of the Government’s plans on the five excellent universities we have in our region – they account for much of the region’s research and innovation added value, and the income and expenditure they generate make a significant contribution to regional GDP, currently estimated to be £1.5bn. I want categorical reassurances that the higher and further education system in the North East will not be damaged by the Government’s plans.”