"NO return to university tuition fees", say local Liberal Democrats

9.36.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Sep 2009

Liberal Democrats Kevin Lang and Alex Cole-Hamilton have promised to oppose any attempts to restore student tuition fees in Scotland after a former Edinburgh University Principal called for their return.

Lord Sutherland called for tuition fees to be reintroduced in Scotland, despite them being abolished nine years ago by the Liberal Democrats in the then Scottish Executive.

Liberal Youth Scotland, along with the National Union of Students Scotland, have reaffirmed their commitment to free education, and think that tuition fees would be an unfair burden on our already debt-ridden students.

The NUS Scotland report "Overstretched and Overdrawn" found that 85% of students already have to work for extra income, and 70% of students in work work more than ten hours, which was the limit recommended by the 1999 Cubie Report.

Liberal Youth Scotland President Ruaraidh Dobson said,

"Scottish Students deserve our protection. The vast majority of students are in some form of debt already, why must they be saddled with yet another debt to pay. Up-front tuition fees put many families off going to University, and is a barrier to a better education for many."

Kevin Lang, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Edinburgh North & Leith added,

"I promise to always oppose university tuition or top-up fees, both in and out of parliament, if I am elected Edinburgh North & Leith's new MP. Unlike Labour, the Liberal Democrats firmly believe in the right to a free education and to support students as they start out in life.

"During a time of economic recession, it is even more important to bring down the barriers that stand in the way of young people from entering into higher and further education. That is why we must oppose any and all attempts to bring back tuition fees."