Discuss - Education University Tuition Fees - Abolish university tuition fees

Should the government abolish university tuition fees?

Alliance Party Alliance is committed in principle to abolishing tuition fees for Northern Ireland students, as in Scotland, at the earliest opportunity. Source: Alliance Party 2010 Westminster Manifesto

Conservative Conservative party Chancellor responded to the announcement by Labour who would cut university fees by £3,000 by saying, "Under this government, we've made real progress in getting students from poorer background to go to universities - something governments have been trying to do for decades. All of that progress would be at risk from this ill-thought out policy. Ed Miliband's sums don't add up because the universities would get less money and there would be fewer students so it's bad for students, bad for universities, bad for the taxpayer and bad for the British economy." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31648919 (BBC Politics)

Green Party The Green Party would phase in the abolition of student tuition fees in higher education. Under a Green government there would be no student loans as there would be no tuition fees and living costs would be met by Citizen's Income. Source: Green Party Manifesto

Labour Labour leader Ed Miliband unveiled his party's plans to cut university fees in England and Wales by £3,000 to £6,000, saying that it was a 'cast-iron' guarantee and a 'red line' in potential coalitions after the election. Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31648919 27th February 2015.

Liberal Democrat Lib Dem president Tim Farron said in October 2014 that they should have 'died in a ditch' to keep their pledge to axe university tuition fees, and should have made it a condition to forming a government with the Conservatives back in 2010.

Plaid Cymru "Financial help for Wales students and no tuition fees for those studying subjects crucial to our economy such as science, technology and healthcare." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

Respect Party The Respect Party believe that 'It is completely wrong and immoral that students should now be expected to pay £9,000 a year in tuition fees to obtain a further education. Respect campaigns for an end to tuition fees. We stand up for the rights of students to campaign against cuts to their educational standards and for a free education from the cradle to the grave.' Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/end-tuition-fees/

SNP Among the SNP's policy base is free higher education. Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_National_Party

UKIP "Subject to academic performance UKIP will remove tuition fees for students taking approved degrees in science, medicine, technology, engineering, maths on the condition that they live, work and pay tax in the UK for five years after the completion of their degrees. " Source: UKIP, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

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