IMPACT OF TUITION FEES ON UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS

Early day motion 956, tabled 19 February 2008 by Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 28 members.

That this House notes the research undertaken by the Sutton Trust on the impact of tuition fees on admissions into higher education; is deeply concerned, but not surprised, that this report shows that the current system of tuition and top-up fees has discouraged many pupils from poorer backgrounds from applying to university as a result of anxieties about debt; furthermore believes that the current system inherently favours pupils from more affluent backgrounds; fears this will lead to higher education increasingly becoming the preserve of the better off; and believes that the Government must now reconsider its policy on student finance, tuition fees and top-up fees before a generation of potential students from less well off backgrounds are discouraged from going into higher education.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 13, Labour 6, Conservative 5, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.