In the first of our series of articles on why Liberal Democrat policy is best for our country, and why you should vote Lib Dem, Sophie Bridger takes a look at Education.
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This year, over 500 million pounds will be cut from education budget; 900 million pounds over the next three years. This massive cut will affect education at all levels. Universities are expected to cut thousands of jobs across the country. Not only will this directly affect the quality of education received, but there will be a lack of funding for places, meaning many able students will struggle to get to University at all. The Russell Group has predicted that some smaller universities may not survive the cuts. Labour has encouraged more and more students to go to university, and then pulled the rug from under their feet.
Currently, there are no tuition fees in Scotland. In England, tuition fees are capped, currently at over three thousand pounds per year. However, one think tank recommends removing the cap on tuition fees altogether. This would price poorer students out of university, encouraging elitism. Access to higher education should not be a privilege based on wealth, but the ability to learn. Because of this, Liberal Democrats would phase out tuition fees in England over 6 years.
Students are currently the only group in society kept below the poverty line. The maximum support from the government is £4510 per year, which is still well short of the £7000 needed to reach the cost of living. While some are lucky enough to have parental support, not all do. Many suffer financial hardship as a result of this, or jeopardise their education by working excessive hours in part time jobs. The Liberal Democrats support a minimum income guarantee for students, so each student would get enough money to bring them up to the cost of living each year through a combination of loans, grants and parental support.
The choice is clear: funding cuts under the old system of red-blue, or we can make a change, change that works for you. The Lib Dems are building a fairer Britain.
Sophie Bridger is President of Glasgow University Lib Dems
