Liberal Democrats renew their pledge to abolish tuition fees

2.57.30pm GMT Fri 18th Dec 2009

The Liberal Democrats have announced that they will keep their policy of abolishing university tuition fees in their manifesto for the 2010 General Election.

University lecturer and Oxford East Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman, Dr Steve Goddard commented "As a university lecturer I have seen how Labour's introduction of tuition fees have left many young people leaving university with debts of up to 30,000 pounds. This has deterred students from poorer backgrounds and created a more unequal society."

"In today's recession so many young people left high and dry without a job to go to and house prices are still completely out of reach for most graduates. To be saddling our young people with this level of debt is completely unacceptable."

"I have campaigned for years to get tuition fees scrapped. Meanwhile Labour MPs, like my opponent in Oxford East, betrayed our young people when they introduced fees despite their promise not to. I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats have reaffirmed their commitment to scrap this unfair tax on learning."