First signs of the impact of top-up fees on students

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Aug 2005

NatWest have produced a report showing that 49% of this year's first year students admit they would have been less likely to start university in 2006 because of top-up fees coming info effect. Liberal Democrats Northgate Councillor, Gordon Seekings, said "This survey shows the first hint of the massive negative impact of fees that is going to hit the students of Crawley. The government has created the ludicrous situation where the number of students working is up, parental contributions are up and still graduate debt is up!"

"There's a real danger of university applications falling next year for the first time for years. That is going to have consequences for the future of Crawley. What is needed for our town is a highly educated workforce to ensure we can fill the existing job vacancies of skilled jobs. What we do not want to do is increase the number of commuters to the town and put even more pressure on housing and the transport network.

"The Liberal Democrats, both locally and nationally, have argued against tuition fees precisely because of the long-term financial problems they generate for graduates, their families and universities. I'm fearful that over the next 12 months our worst fears will be confirmed about the negative impact of top-up fees."