INFLATION FIGURES FURTHER PROOF THAT GOVERNMENT GOT SUMS WRONG ON TUITION FEES

The National Union of Students (NUS) today responded to new Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures which showed that the tripling to the cap on tuition fees to £9,000 for students starting university this Autumn was the main cause of a rise in inflation to 2.7%.

NUS said the ONS figures were further evidence that the government had got its sums wrong and created a university funding system where everyone would lose out.

Students would be protesting at the ‘Education, Employ, Empower’ national demonstration in London on Wednesday 21 November, the union added.

Liam Burns, NUS President, said:

“The government completely failed to take into account the wider impact of their rushed rise in tuition fees and its impact on the public purse or future generations.”

“They told us that trebled tuition fees were a necessity to save money but it will actually cost ordinary taxpayers billions more.

“Students and young people from across the country will be descending on London next week to protest at having the rug pulled from under their feet."

“The government was determined to abdicate responsibility for university education and got its sums badly wrong in a way that affects not just students but all of us.”

Notes:

On November 21st 2012 students from around the country will come together in London to demonstrate against the impact of the government’s austerity agenda on students. For details on #Demo2012 go to www.demo2012.org.uk. Educate. Employ. Empower.