STUDENT NUMBERS FALL AS TOP-UP FEES BEGIN TO BITE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Aug 2006

Liberal Democrats in Derby say that it is time that the Labour government rethought its policy on tuition fees as figures reveal a drop of 3.5% in university applications.

Lib Dem campaigner Cllr Lucy Care said "The drop in student numbers shows just how Tuition and Top-up fees and the fear of debt are deterring many talented young people from going to University.

"The NatWest Student Money Matters survey published a few days ago showed levels of student-debt spiralling with students now expecting to pay over £30,000 to get a degree. It is no wonder that Top-up fees are putting so many potential students off going to University.

"As students get their A Level results today, what better time for the Labour government to scrap Tuition and Top-up fees and go back to a system of access to University based on ability to learn,not ability to pay.

"Liberal Democrats in England would scrap tuition fees just as we have done successfully in Scotland."