House of Commons – Sept. 14, 2004 – 243

Resolved, That this House welcomes the passage of the Higher Education Act 2004;

approves the further steps the Government is taking to widen participation, including the establishment of the Office for Fair Access, and enhanced bursaries;

welcomes the improvement in support for part-time students being introduced by the Government, including the first ever grant package available from this autumn;

rejects the Liberal Democrat policy of abolition of tuition fees, depriving universities of a dedicated income stream;

congratulates the Government on maintaining fair and affordable loan repayment terms and rejects the policies proposed by the Official Opposition which would require those graduates who can least afford it to pay the most for their higher education;

recognises the need to maintain UK universities at the forefront of world research and to equip the UK workforce with the high-level skills needed to compete in the global marketplace;

congratulates the Government on record levels of investment in higher education, to almost £10 billion by 2005–06, with a 9 per cent. increase in research funding to 2007–08, additional income from variable fees, and further increases in Government funding to be announced shortly;

looks forward to the introduction of a £2,700 maintenance grant for new students from 2006 alongside the improved student support package available from fee deferral, increased maintenance loans and loan write-offs for new students after 25 years;

and welcomes the impact these policies will have on encouraging students from less well-off backgrounds to consider entering higher education.