SLAMMED: LABOUR'S POLL TAX ON LEARNING

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Jun 2004

Liberal Democrats campaigning against Labour’s “poll tax on learning”

Leicester Liberal Democrats have attacked Labour's tuition fees and top up fees, brandishing them a 'poll tax on learning'.

A recent survey shows that the amount owed has risen by 74 per cent in four years, as students graduate with average debts of £8,031.

Record numbers of students are now working during term to make ends meet, and borrowing on credit cards and commercial loans have also dramatically increased.

The Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary, Phil Willis MP, said: "The Government's own evidence shows that fear of debt is preventing many young people from going to university, while genuine debt is causing many students to drop out of their studies. Yet this Labour Government is persisting with a policy that will increase student debt to mortgage levels."

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