Labour's University Funding Cuts will Fuel Further Inequality

6.02.47pm GMT Wed 6th Jan 2010

Paul Scriven, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central has condemned swingeing university funding cuts which will lower university standards and limit student choices.

The £400m funding cuts announced by the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson on December 23rd, will hit universities' teaching budgets, leading to reductions in the number of teaching posts. This could mean both larger teaching groups and fewer contact hours.

It will also affect universities' capital programs, meaning that for some universities planned building renovations may not go ahead.

Paul Scriven said: 'You don't need a degree to realise that university funding cuts spell misery for future students. It is bad enough that the Labour government has broken a manifesto commitment not to introduce tuition fees. Now students face paying more, for fewer teaching hours, and a reduced choice of courses.'

Universities who have admitted additional students will also be asked to hand back £3,700 per student, which could raise an additional £60 billion for the government.

Paul added: 'By trying to satisfy high student demand, due to fears about job opportunities during the recession and the government withdrawing places, universities have fallen foul of bizarre government diktat. They are now being penalised for trying to make up for government deficiency.'

'Universities are now faced with a stark choice of turning students away or offering them a poorer educational experience. It is difficult to see how Britain will compete in the international skills market, if we cannot offer the best possible university education to all those with academic potential.'

'Labour have failed Britain's students with hikes in tuition fees and now a raid on their teaching budgets. The Tories are no better, they supported the introduction of tuition fees and will remove the current cap on fees if they come to power. Liberal Democrats are the only party who have promised to properly fund universities and maintain their world class status, as well as abolishing tuition fees within one parliament.'