10.11.10 - Demolition.

[MrPinkPanther]

So the big protest against the Tuition fee rise and cuts to the University budget is coming up tomorrow, just wondering who's coming up to London?

It starts at 11.30, I'm gonna roll out of bed at around 11.15 and go . Woop woop!

[Conservative,]

I'm not and I wouldn't. I think it's moronic - people have to understand spending cuts need to be made, and prices have to rise. And the tuition fees will only go up if the University agrees to give discounts to poorer families, so tbh, it's not a big issue.

[MrPinkPanther]

I'm not and I wouldn't. I think it's moronic - people have to understand spending cuts need to be made, and prices have to rise. And the tuition fees will only go up if the University agrees to give discounts to poorer families, so tbh, it's not a big issue.

Well firstly the rise to £9,000 will result in the marketisation of Education. Look at the world university rankings, how many in the top 25 are British, a hell of a lot. Its because we have one of the best higher education systems in the world. To put it simply its because undergraduates go to universities based on the suitability of the course and not because of the attached price tag. Had my course been £9000 a year then would I be here? Absolutely not. Sure the government says they will help poorer students but it is impossible to judge someones wealth and actually if it's based on the current system then it is highly flawed. The current system is based on parental income from 2 years previous, firstly as the recession has shown the economy can take a turn for the worse extremely quickly completely changing peoples financial situations and secondly it is based on the assumption that parents are willing to pay for their children.

People say why should other people have to pay for our degree and thats a valid point but thats exactly what progressive income taxation is for. If someone earns a lot then they pay back a lot, by the governments own admission graduates tend to earn over £100,000 more than those who do not attend university. From the governments perspective university would pay for itself several times over because of this anyway. Why should we penalise those who attended University and rather than taking a high paid job are taking a fairly middle income job and are instead opting to help contribute to society. Take my Sister for example, she graduated from Oxford university and yet after 3 years working shes on a salary a little over £20,000, why? Because she works for a charity. I find it absolutely ridiculous that you think that she should pay the same for her education as someone such as a banker who is using his privileged education for selfish means. Income tax solves this, tuition fees do not, its completely regressive and in the long term will damage our economy.

The fundamental problem is parliament works in 5 year terms. They aren't looking to future stability, they are looking to cut the deficit within the next parliament. Lets be clear, these cuts WILL damage the economy beyond repair. Did you know for every £1 you invest in Higher Education you get £2.60 back approximately £1.30 of which is recovered in taxation?

Now you tell me why tuition fees are ok.

[Inseriousity.]

The marketisation of education is already here when Thatcher brought in choice. However, I am against a rise in tuition fees simply because fees a debt of close to £35,000 (that's just a hypothetical figure btw but 9000 x 3 + other expenditure and I'd say it was pretty close) is likely to put off poorer families anyway. Also, I do believe under the new system that Browne suggested the top unis would be able to charge more than the lower unis (I think this is what you meant by marketisation?), which also means it's likely we'll have all the rich who can afford it in the top unis and all the poorer unis in the lower unis. I also think that it depends on subject so science courses would cost more than 'the arts and humanities', which tries to define and validate 'soft' and 'hard' options which I disagree with as well.

Despite all that, I can't go on the march. I'd love to but I can't afford it LOL the irony.

[Technologic]

Still a hell of a lot cheaper than most countries

[Conservative,]

Still a hell of a lot cheaper than most countries

That's my thinking.

Plus, 9000 is the ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM, and most Uni's will not be allowed to charge more than 6000/yr unless they give hefty reductions to poorer families.

I don't see the problem with tuition fees, if we didn't have them we'd be in so much debt it's unreal >;l

and the spending cuts are clearly improving the economy? According to top economists...so yeah.

[AgnesIO]

Still a hell of a lot cheaper than most countries

Just because other countries have high fees, doesn't make it right.

I hate how poorer families are like 'oh well we can get discounts coz we are poor'. Blah blah blah.

People seem to forget, that those of us whose parents earn more than all the government schemes include, don't have an easy life. My parents for example, earn a lot more money than they can for me to get EMA, but I can tell you now, I do not get £30 a week for going to college.

[myke]

I'm not and I wouldn't. I think it's moronic - people have to understand spending cuts need to be made, and prices have to rise. And the tuition fees will only go up if the University agrees to give discounts to poorer families, so tbh, it's not a big issue.

someone obviously hasnt looked at it properly or isnt planning on going to uni

im not going but good luck to all those that do.

and agreed with milestone, not everyone in the uk is 'poor' and can get discounts

[Conservative,]

someone obviously hasnt looked at it properly or isnt planning on going to uni

im not going but good luck to all those that do.

I'm planning to go to Uni, in fact I'd like to go to Cambridge, and no my parents aren't overly rich, but I think everyone slating it is just being blind to the truth that it has to happen.

[Nemo]

i might be going after school, but thats if its still ongoing. A lot of people i know are going