HIGHER EDUCATION AND GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE

Early day motion 394, tabled 4 March 1999 by Ken Livingstone (Labour). Signed by 15 members.

That this House is concerned that the introduction of tuition fees and the decision to abolish the maintenance grant for students in higher education have been followed, according to the Times Higher Education Supplement, by a fall of between 15 and 20 per cent. in the number of students aged over 25 years accepted by universities (with new universities and vocational courses being hit hardest), and according to the National Union of Students, in significantly increased student hardship; is particularly concerned that some students are being excluded from their courses due to inability to pay fees; supports the call by Goldsmiths College Students Union, which has been fully supported by the National Union of Students, that no student should be excluded from higher education due to inability to pay tuition fees; and urges the administration at Goldsmiths College to amicably settle the dispute with the Students Union over the exclusion of a number of students unable to pay fees from their courses, on a basis which results in no students being excluded due to ability to pay fees.

Signatures by party: Labour 15.