New Clause 5 — Abolition of tuition fees chargeable to qualifying student

Part of Higher Education Bill – in the House of Commons at 5:00 pm on 31 March 2004.

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Photo of Mr Peter Bradley Mr Peter Bradley Labour, The Wrekin 5:00, 31 March 2004

We could trade mathematics, but let me tell the hon. Gentleman why the reintroduction of maintenance grants makes such a huge difference. Although the idea of debts, mortgages—whatever we choose to call them—is an issue for everyone, our society is not half so debt averse as we might think from listening to this debate. Most of us have debts, whether through hire purchase agreements, bank overdrafts or credit cards. Debt is an issue, I grant the hon. Gentleman that, but one of the principal reasons why young people with academic qualifications from low-income and working-class backgrounds have not taken up places at university, even when they are available—which, under the Conservatives, they certainly would not be—is that they cannot afford the up-front student living costs. They have no savings, and their parents have no savings with which to sub them through university.

The return to the maintenance grant is therefore a measure of which all Labour Members should be proud. It is radical, progressive and empowering, and it will allow universities to welcome those students into higher education, provided that the places that we can pay for through the tuition fees are available. It will also enable people to whom the privilege of going to university has been denied for decades to take up the opportunity to enrich their lives, to enhance their earning capacity, and to underpin our economy for generations to come. That is why the return of the student grant is a crucial part of the Bill.