HIGHER EDUCATION BILL AND PROVISION FOR GAP YEAR STUDENTS

Early day motion 1384, tabled 22 June 2004 by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 29 members.

That this House welcomes the Lords Amendment to the Higher Education Bill to exempt those students who receive an offer of a place on a designated course before 1st August 2005 from top-up fees; believes that this Amendment will provide transitional arrangements for those who who choose to take a gap year, will allow students the freedom that their predecessors enjoyed under the 1998 Teaching and Higher Education Act to take a gap year without incurring substantial extra debt, will allow students to give voluntary service or to find employment, measures which particularly benefit the wider community, and will avoid over-subscription for places in 2005; and calls on the Government to accept this Amendment when the Bill returns to the Commons.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 25, Labour 3, UUP 1.