Students welcome Paul's pledge on fees
Student leaders have welcomed the backing that they have received for their campaign against an increase in tuition fees from Paul Blomfield, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central. National Union of Students President Wes Streeting travelled to Sheffield from London to receive a signed pledge from Paul Blomfield, committing himself to oppose any increase in university fees and to press for a fairer fees system.
Sam Brown, Wes Streeting, Paul Blomfield, Claire Monk
Paul Blomfield said:
“Some of our top Universities are pushing for a big increase in fees and an American-style market in higher education. I want a different approach. The Government have launched a review of the current system, which is considering all the options. I’ll be pushing for a graduate contribution based on earnings. It will reduce student debt and provide extra resources for our universities.”
“Under the Labour government more people than ever are going to university. In Sheffield Central Constituency, numbers have increased by a massive 87%. Now let’s develop the funding system to support the extra opportunities that have been created. People must have the opportunity to study at the university of their choice based on their ability to learn – not on their ability to pay.”
Wes Streeting, President of the NUS, said
"I'm delighted that Paul Blomfield has signed NUS' pledge to oppose an increase in tuition fees and to press for a fairer funding system for students. Paul has spend his working life supporting students at Sheffield students' union and I know he would be a great advocate for students as the next MP for Sheffield Central."
“NUS believes that a university education should be free at the point of use, with graduates giving back to the system according to how much they earn. This would give universities double the amount of funding they currently receive, while allowing the children of poorer families to go to university without the fear of debt. It would also prevent the emergence of a market in higher education, where only the rich could afford to attend our most prestigious universities.”
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