Leicester students say: "Stop Labour's poll tax on learning"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 27th Jun 2004

Parmjit Gill meets Leicester students. Even Margaret Thatcher thought that top-up fees were a step too far — it has taken Tony Blair to introduce the “Poll Tax on learning.”

Lib Dem Parmjit Gill met recently with University of Leicester students to discuss top-up fees — Labour's "Poll Tax on learning."

Parmjit Gill said: "It is incredible that on the 25th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher's election we see Labour implementing one of her policies — one that even she thought was a step too far. She was happy to introduce Michael Howard's Poll Tax, but it has been left to Tony Blair to introduce her Poll Tax on Learning."

Parmjit Gill and Leicester Liberal Democrats have redoubled their campaign to scrap tuition fees after research by Barclays Bank showed average student debt in England and Wales jumped 10% in 2003 — the average student now leaves higher education owing £12,069 through credit cards, bank and student loans.

"Once again, Higher Education will be reserved for the rich, as real fear of debt keeps low and middle income families out of going to university.

Midlands students already have the highest average debt levels, the figures suggest." said Parmjit Gill.