Variable Top-Up Fees In Wales

EDM number 526 in 2003-04, proposed by Hywel Williams on 02/02/2004.

That this House notes the current average student debt on graduation is more than ú10,000; further notes that the average graduate debt once the introduction of variable fees is in place has been estimated to be more than ú36,000; further notes that the National Assembly for Wales has ruled out introducing top-up fees in Wales until 2007; is concerned that this is only six months after they are to be introduced in England in 2006; observes that the Welsh Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Skills, Jane Davidson, has, in the past, said she is in favour of a form of graduate taxation; further observes that the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, Rhodri Morgan, has not ruled out introducing variable top-up fees in Wales after 2007; is concerned that this will inevitably lead to the introduction of top-up fees in Wales after 2007; notes that 24 Welsh Labour MPs voted against the will of the National Assembly for Wales and in favour of the Government's proposals to introduce market forces into the higher education system; further notes that the Government narrowly won the vote during the Second Reading of the Higher Education Bill with with a majority of only five votes; and believes that, had only three of the Welsh Labour honourable Members who previously signed a motion opposing top-up fees not given in to pressure, and had stuck to their manifesto commitment by voting against variable fees, the Bill would have fallen.

This motion has been signed by a total of 4 MPs.