Further and Higher Education

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 10:39 am on 27 January 2000.

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Photo of George Lyon George Lyon Liberal Democrat 10:39, 27 January 2000

I want to discuss the graduate contribution scheme, which the Opposition is trying to present as some form of tuition tax. Let us get the facts straight: 50 per cent of students will be exempt from repayment. There is a cast-iron guarantee that the majority of students will have less debt than under the present system, even with the loan and contribution combined.

We have also guaranteed that, with the loan and the £2,000 contribution combined, no student will owe a penny more than they would under the current loan system. No graduate will pay a penny extra on their monthly payments, and the majority of graduates, even with the loan and the contribution taken together, will pay off their debts much more quickly than they would under the current arrangements.