UNIVERSITY RENT INCREASES

Early day motion 76, tabled 23 November 1999 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 34 members.

That this House is concerned about rent increases at Cambridge University of between 33 per cent and 47 per cent over the next four to six years, which will amount to an average fixed cost of ú70 per week, which will make Cambridge one of the most expensive universities in the country and which will severely damage attempts to widen access to working-class and ethnic minority young people; notes the remarks of Cambridge bursars including 'we are putting up the rents to protect the future standards of education' and 'what is access worth if you have to level down quality'; and therefore calls on Her Majesty's Government to investigate the possibility that these rent increases are the introduction of top-up fees by the back door.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 6, Labour/Co-operative 2, Scottish National Party 1.