Labour just promised to scrap tuition fees
- Text by Michael Segalov
- Photography by Theo McInnes
Tuition fees have been at the centre of political battles since their introduction under Tony Blair’s government, but ever since the Liberal Democrats reneged on their promise to vote down any increase in the cost of higher education, students present and future have been determined to see them scrapped.
In an announcement to be made tomorrow, Jeremy Corbyn, and Shadow Education Secretary, Angela Rayner, will promise to lift £38 billion debt burden from students’ shoulders should they be elected into government, giving young people another reason to register to vote before midnight on Monday.
Some 400,000 university students will be freed from an average of around £27,000 debt this autumn if Labour is elected next month, Labour will pledge to voters, as they say tuition fees will be abolished from 2018 under a Labour Government. This will include free education for EU Students, with Labour looking to create reciprocal relationships across the continent.
Labour is also pledging to write off the first year of fees for students planning to start university this September. The party can’t scrap fees that fast due to legislative reasons, but instead they’ll just write it off. In short, from September university will be free.
Tuition fees have trebled to over £9,000 a year since 2012 and graduates are starting their life saddled with debts averaging almost £45,000.
“The Conservatives have held students back for too long, saddling them with debt that blights the start of their working lives,” said Jeremy Corbyn. “Labour will lift this cloud of debt and make education free for all as part of our plan for a richer Britain for the many not the few.”
“We will scrap tuition fees and ensure universities have the resources they need to continue to provide a world-class education. Students will benefit from having more money in their pockets, and we will all benefit from the engineers, doctors, teachers and scientists that our universities produce.”
As well as abolishing university tuition fees, Labour will promise to restore the maintenance grants the Conservatives abolished in 2016 and, under its plan for a free National Education Service, will scrap college fees for adult learners too.
“Young people and students up and down the country will welcome this announcement from the Labour Party,” National Union of Students President Malia Bouattia told Huck. “NUS strongly supports a free and fair education system, which is accessible to everyone, regardless of their income or background.”
“This policy goes a long way to improving opportunities for young people, and those wanting to return to education in their adult life. It also offers a powerful incentive to register for, and use, their vote on 8 June.”
Register to vote now, please. You only have until 11:59pm on Monday.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Remembering New York’s ’90s gay scene via its vibrant nightclub flyers
Getting In — After coming out in his 20s, David Kennerley became a fixture on the city’s queer scene, while pocketing invites that he picked up along the way. His latest book dives into his rich archive.
Written by: Miss Rosen
On Alexander Skarsgård’s trousers, The Rehearsal, and the importance of weirdos
Freaks and Finances — In the May edition of our monthly culture newsletter, columnist Emma Garland reflects on the Swedish actor’s Cannes look, Nathan Fielder’s wild ambition, and Jafaican.
Written by: Emma Garland
Capturing life in the shadows of Canada’s largest oil refinery
The Cloud Factory — Growing up on the fringes of Saint John, New Brunswick, the Irving Oil Refinery was ever present for photographer Chris Donovan. His new photobook explores its lingering impacts on the city’s landscape and people.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Susan Meiselas captured Nicaragua’s revolution in stark, powerful detail
Nicaragua: June 1978-1979 — With a new edition of her seminal photobook, the Magnum photographer reflects on her role in shaping the resistance’s visual language, and the state of US-Nicaraguan relations nearly five decades later.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A visual trip through 100 years of New York’s LGBTQ+ spaces
Queer Happened Here — A new book from historian and writer Marc Zinaman maps scores of Manhattan’s queer venues and informal meeting places, documenting the city’s long LGBTQ+ history in the process.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Nostalgic photos of everyday life in ’70s San Francisco
A Fearless Eye — Having moved to the Bay Area in 1969, Barbara Ramos spent days wandering its streets, photographing its landscape and characters. In the process she captured a city in flux, as its burgeoning countercultural youth movement crossed with longtime residents.
Written by: Miss Rosen