NEW SYSTEM OF FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Early day motion 361, tabled 28 October 1997 by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic and Labour Party). Signed by 23 members.

That this House calls on the Government to abandon the new system of funding for higher education which is due to come into operation in September/October 1998 following the commissioning and delivery of a report headed by Sir Ron Dearing which combines the axing of maintenance grants, the introduction of means-tested benefits and the imposition of tuition fees for students and will substantially increase the amount of debt students from lower income backgrounds will face and will mean that many potential students will no longer opt for third level education.

Signatures by party: Labour 12, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, UUP 3, DUP 2, Liberal Democrat 1, Scottish National Party 1, UKUP 1.