William promises to end Labour's tax on learning 27/09/04

MacDougall: New pledge to scrap uni fees for students in Haringey
Conservatives plan to restore free higher education

William MacDougall, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Tottenham
announced this week that Conservatives will abolish university tuition fees and restore free higher education. Conservatives' radical plans will boost higher education funding, scrap tuition fees, reduce student debt and provide for an extra 21 billion investment in universities.

This would save students and their families across Haringey up to 3,000 a
year each when the Government introduces its planned top-up fees. Across
Haringey, there are estimated 13,460 full-time students aged 18 or over who
might benefit from this policy, and another 4,343 students aged 16-17, many
of whom may soon go to university.

MacDougall explained,

"There is no case for Labour's flawed plans that increase red tape, and
betray the poor, and yet fail to raise signficant revenue or grant
universities independence. Labour have broken their promises of two
general elections not to introduce fees."

"This Government claims it is giving more money to poorer students, but it is taking it straight back through soaring fees. Under a Conservative Government there will be lower student debt and grants for poorer students."

As part of the 21 billion package for universities, 3 billion will go directly into modernising teaching facilities, with the expensive university Access Regulator and the Government's 50 per cent admissions target both being abolished, freeing up funding.

MacDougall continued, "Labour have broken their promise and scrapped free higher education. We will keep our promise and will restore free higher education.

"Our policy is fairer than the Liberal Democrat alternative - in Scotland,they still charge tuition fees to students after they graduate. Worse, Liberal Democrats would force the poorest students in Haringey to live at home and would not guarantee university students a full three-year course."

ENDS.