Adrian Sanders tackles Minister over student finance

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders challenged Universities Minister David Lammy MP on tuition fees in Parliament today.

Although applications by those from low income families have risen in recent years, with an 8% increase in the last year, the same level of increase has been recorded from other social classes.  In the last 15 years, the number of students each year has increased by over 100,000-to almost half a million.  Despite this, the social mix has remained virtually the same each year.

The Government has pledged a great deal of rhetoric and resources to increasing the proportion of university applicants from lower income families but results have been hit and miss, with improvements in areas like Torbay being minimal.

There needs to be a greater understanding of the regional variations in university applications and of the barriers preventing a wider range of applications.  Low aspirations, low educational attainment before 18 as well as the threat of heavy debt can prevent those from low income families applying.

Adrian

will also be following up by raising concerns by part time students that they are unfairly penalised by having to pay tuition fees up front.  Furthermore, the Government’s rationale that tuition fees should be paid ignores the reality that not all graduates will earn significantly more in their later lives. 

Adrian

commented: “Participation in Higher Education has increased considerably in recent years, but there is much that needs to be done to create a level playing field of opportunity.”