For Immediate Release: Tuesday 12 October 2010
Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
SNP spokesperson on Business, Innovation and Skills Mike Weir MP has
rounded on the Liberal Democrats after Business Secretary Vince Cable
gave his approval to a report which would allow an unlimited rise in
tuition fees at English universities.
Mr Weir called on the LibDems to stick by the pledge they signed in
the 2010 Westminster election to oppose increases in tuition fees
following the publication of Lord Browne's review into Higher
Education funding which proposed charging unlimited fees.
During the election candidates from all parties signed the pledge and
the LibDems were particularly active in signing this pledge. That
pledge said “I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next
parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer
alternative.”
Only this morning Education Secretary Mike Russell restated the SNP
Government's opposition to up-front tuition fees for university
students.
Commenting Mr Weir said:
“The LibDems made much of their opposition to fees across numerous
constituencies with large student populations. They cannot let them
down now and must declare their opposition now.
“Scotland has a proud tradition of free education based on the ability
to learn, not the ability to pay; and the SNP restored this principle
in Scotland by scrapping the graduate endowment.
“We’re also investing record amounts in the university sector and
support for students.
"SNP MPs have always championed higher education at Westminster. When
Scottish Labour MPs inflicted tuition fees on English students the SNP
opposed that move. So did the LibDems but the publication of the
Browne review and their pact with the Tories in government places a
question mark over this opposition.
“The SNP knows that the implications of lifting the cap on tuition
fees in England could well be fewer resources for Scotland and a
bigger challenge for Scottish students. So it is important that LibDem
MPs – particularly their Scottish MPs – state their position now.”
ENDS
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