Tuition Fees: Poorest students will get up to two years FREE tuition!

[Swastika]

I want to know the criteria of which you have to pass to be able to be classed as "poor".

[FlyingJesus]

The changes do not help me in anyway. Eight years ago a man achieved his degree for 1K, now students are being made to pay 6K to 9K on a mass scale. If I were to go to University I would be given a life full of debt with added interest which would fund the Governments Christmas bonuses and unwanted wars. The EMA cuts although do not affect me, will affect many young people. EMA shouldn't be cut although a new scheme should come into play. This scheme should offer bus tickets, train tickets, work tools and food tickets for the poorest students. It shouldn't be a mass cut, that's simply a stupid move.

The situation 8 years ago has nothing to do with this - compared to the current system, the changes being set in place will be helping future students. If tuition fees double (ie: 3k to 6k as is happening) that's around 9k extra cost overall, as most courses run over 3 years. Consider then that you don't pay anything back at all until you're earning 6k a year more than the current wage at which student loan repayments come into effect, meaning that even if for some reason you decide to pay it all off in 3 years you'd still spend those 3 years living as though you were on a substantially higher wage than what you'd currently be on and be paying back the loans if you were a graduate this year - I'd say that's helping you. Also EMA payments aren't getting cut they're just moving to the educational institutions themselves rather than being a government run thing, which is a good move

Getting children to come out and make speeches written by themselves about a political movement is difficult. These are political fuelled speeches which really are quite motivating and moving. Of course it's not hard to attract the filth of the society but that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about children no more than 15 coming out onto the streets and attending meetings, talking to a vast amount of people who are considerably older than themselves. They show a lot of courage and confidence which they didn't have before, you can tell they're fully behind the movements.

Children have an opinion on everything, and in my experience have seldom been shy about expressing it. It's brave, sure, but it's nothing special and nothing new

Do not listen to the Government, after all several months ago they were telling us we wouldn't need to pay anything.

Well that's simply not true, that was just the leader of the what is now the junior partner of a coalition stating his long term intentions

You will have to pay 9K at most places and this will come with interest. The fees owed will mount up and you will be living with debt. Parents shouldn't need to send children into the world knowing when they turn eighteen they'll take on a huge amount of debt which will stick with them for years.

Regardless of the fact that I've already shown how the debt is very easily manageable, can you show some sort of evidence that "most" universities will be able to charge the 9k top fees (which due to the financial restrictions that come with it is simply not feasible for most universities) or that student loan interest is going to be some sort of hefty sum rather than the extremely low figure that it's always been? You can't just make statements like that and not back them up

The students did not start the fights.

Yes they did

The students simply didn't want to follow the intended route away from the media cameras and into a police kettle to be beaten. This was the plan of the filth.

Kettling wasn't set up for a long time (you've already mentioned the protest in November, which had very little police action and lots of student brutality/vandalism) and not following the intended route makes you no longer part of the peaceful protest. As for your hilarious assumption that the police were trying to force you into an area (which, by the way, was designated by the student union) for the sole purpose of beating you up, I don't know what American gang films you've been watching but that is not how they operate. Unless you have them on film saying "come along now children, hurry over here so we can start hitting you" it looks like you're just spouting utter rubbish

The police were trying to intimidate the crowd and covered up I.D's. People were told we could leave the kettle if we went to a certain area, at this area we were greeted by another police line with mounted police. This is where they told us to go back to where we came from, many didn't agree and told the police we were told to come here. At this point the filth withdrew the batons. I didn't state that you should hit officers although when they hand out force you should hand it back, after all we do live in an equal society do we not?

Hooray, more stupidity. OK, so it's annoying when you're told to do something and then when you do it are told differently, but is it really that difficult to comply with something as basic as moving? If you're clearly disobeying police orders to the point where they have to use force to get you to move on then that's your fault for not doing as you're told and protesting peacefully... and no, we don't live in an equal society and even if we did that doesn't mean you should attack the police when they try to apprehend you

The kettling was a joke. Many of us were kept on a bridge until the early hours. We told them we had a coach to catch and they let two people out of the kettle, we had 50 people in our group to get the coach. We were given a number of insults and effectively made to stop in the poor excuse of a capital until the mega bus in the morning. The police implement the kettles to try and discourage people from attending. You get cold, hungry and tired and yet you're not allowed out. Then they boil over. The police know what they get from kettles. They boil just like your own kettle.

You break away from peaceful protesting, you suffer consequences. What, you expect to be allowed to damage property and become part of illegal protest demos and then be allowed to walk off in a group of 50 just because you have an excuse about needing to catch a bus?

Please tell me you're not trying to debate with a man in a subject you do not fully know? The workers unions have always been a part of our campaigns. We're protesting against a number of things which have come from the Government cuts. Education is our main point but we shall link arms with our worker friends against the Government. They support us and we support them. We're all against the cuts together. Next year will be big, workers unions and students will be making a stand against the Government.

You are anything but a man if you believe the nonsense you're spewing, but regardless these are the student protests we're discussing. I don't claim to be an Arsenal fan just because they don't like Tottenham either

We are not anarchist's. We are groups of individuals from all over, students to workers to retired. We are all in it together. If the Government do not listen to us peacefully we shall look up to those who got rid of the poll tax and see how they achieved this.

Would you care to show me at what time during the student protests the entire thing was peaceful? It was attempted by the student union and those people were in fact given television debate time (during which they condemned the actions of people like you) but were outvoiced by rioters and fools

We shall also look at those who won women the vote.

By all means, jump under a horse

We do not want to overthrow the Government or the police, we simply want to get our voice head over the sound of money in the MP's wallet's.

Then raise a voice, not a fist

You're the type we're up against, thankfully we do not let your type affect our beliefs.

Yes you go ahead with not letting reason affect your beliefs. My "type" appears to be one that won't find themselves jailed for violence on a matter which never needed to go in that direction

[Conservative,]

I want to know the criteria of which you have to pass to be able to be classed as "poor".

Your family earning 16k or less per year.

[Spuds]

The situation 8 years ago has nothing to do with this - compared to the current system, the changes being set in place will be helping future students. If tuition fees double (ie: 3k to 6k as is happening) that's around 9k extra cost overall, as most courses run over 3 years. Consider then that you don't pay anything back at all until you're earning 6k a year more than the current wage at which student loan repayments come into effect, meaning that even if for some reason you decide to pay it all off in 3 years you'd still spend those 3 years living as though you were on a substantially higher wage than what you'd currently be on and be paying back the loans if you were a graduate this year - I'd say that's helping you. Also EMA payments aren't getting cut they're just moving to the educational institutions themselves rather than being a government run thing, which is a good move

They won't be helping. Students will be coming out of University with a life time of debt because of the new system. Just because you have the degree doesn't mean you'll get a well paid job. The new system is designed to put off poorer students and replace them with future David Cameron's. The Government are trying to implement the class system again whereby the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The term "look after your own" is put into play by the poor excuse of a Government.

Children have an opinion on everything, and in my experience have seldom been shy about expressing it. It's brave, sure, but it's nothing special and nothing new

To express such powerful opinions which were seen over the last month by twelve year old's was brilliant. These are the same twelve year old's which are meant to play XBOX, watch X-Factor and not give a damn about politics and the 'real world'. They've realised something isn't quite right. They can't vote and yet the Government are forcing debt onto them when they're older. How is that right?

Well that's simply not true, that was just the leader of the what is now the junior partner of a coalition stating his long term intentions

And he's only in the coalition because he lied to the people. These are the people who got him in and now he's turned on them. The people are turning on him and he knows he's put himself in his own political coffin. The man is nothing more than a liar.

Regardless of the fact that I've already shown how the debt is very easily manageable, can you show some sort of evidence that "most" universities will be able to charge the 9k top fees (which due to the financial restrictions that come with it is simply not feasible for most universities) or that student loan interest is going to be some sort of hefty sum rather than the extremely low figure that it's always been? You can't just make statements like that and not back them up

All the evidence you need is sitting in Parliament. They lied to us, what's stopping them lying again? We have to fight back, they're nothing more than liars who we simply can't trust again. How can we believe them that they'll need special permission to charge 9K when they've already lied to us in a big way?

Yes they did

Were you there or watching the BBC which is funded by Government?

Kettling wasn't set up for a long time (you've already mentioned the protest in November, which had very little police action and lots of student brutality/vandalism) and not following the intended route makes you no longer part of the peaceful protest. As for your hilarious assumption that the police were trying to force you into an area (which, by the way, was designated by the student union) for the sole purpose of beating you up, I don't know what American gang films you've been watching but that is not how they operate. Unless you have them on film saying "come along now children, hurry over here so we can start hitting you" it looks like you're just spouting utter rubbish

Many police are there for a ruck. A policeman in Brighton asked a student how it was going in London and if the MET had "left any old vans for you guys again?". The police is riddled with corrupt men and women, it's a shame but that's how it is. The good are in the minority which is disgusting but that's how it is now.

Hooray, more stupidity. OK, so it's annoying when you're told to do something and then when you do it are told differently, but is it really that difficult to comply with something as basic as moving? If you're clearly disobeying police orders to the point where they have to use force to get you to move on then that's your fault for not doing as you're told and protesting peacefully... and no, we don't live in an equal society and even if we did that doesn't mean you should attack the police when they try to apprehend you

You go one way expecting to be let out, they then tell you to go back to where you came from. This was where it was kicking off initially. So they expect you to go back there and get hit by the police. People didn't want to do that so stayed, they then charged. A flare was thrown at the police to stop them beating a woman who fell on the floor and evidently injured so couldn't go back. They're utter filth. Check the news today and you'll see one stand out story without even looking into much detail.

You break away from peaceful protesting, you suffer consequences. What, you expect to be allowed to damage property and become part of illegal protest demos and then be allowed to walk off in a group of 50 just because you have an excuse about needing to catch a bus?

We didn't break the line, we followed the group and police directions because that time the other route was shut as the police wanted everyone in one area (on the green). We had no choice so it was hardly breaking the route. The filth said you could go if you were evidently not a trouble maker and yet we couldn't go.

You are anything but a man if you believe the nonsense you're spewing, but regardless these are the student protests we're discussing. I don't claim to be an Arsenal fan just because they don't like Tottenham either

Protests which are supported by others uniting against the cuts. Have you missed the big solidarity campaign? Jesus.

Would you care to show me at what time during the student protests the entire thing was peaceful? It was attempted by the student union and those people were in fact given television debate time (during which they condemned the actions of people like you) but were outvoiced by rioters and fools

The people like us want to get our voice heard. Lighting candles simply wont do it. The media are still obsessing over last week, I can't see them obsessing over a couple of candles.

Yes you go ahead with not letting reason affect your beliefs. My "type" appears to be one that won't find themselves jailed for violence on a matter which never needed to go in that direction

Your type will be the ones who will only moan when it affects them.

[Conservative,]

They won't be helping. Students will be coming out of University with a life time of debt because of the new system. Just because you have the degree doesn't mean you'll get a well paid job. The new system is designed to put off poorer students and replace them with future David Cameron's. The Government are trying to implement the class system again whereby the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The term "look after your own" is put into play by the poor excuse of a Government.


To express such powerful opinions which were seen over the last month by twelve year old's was brilliant. These are the same twelve year old's which are meant to play XBOX, watch X-Factor and not give a damn about politics and the 'real world'. They've realised something isn't quite right. They can't vote and yet the Government are forcing debt onto them when they're older. How is that right?


And he's only in the coalition because he lied to the people. These are the people who got him in and now he's turned on them. The people are turning on him and he knows he's put himself in his own political coffin. The man is nothing more than a liar.


All the evidence you need is sitting in Parliament. They lied to us, what's stopping them lying again? We have to fight back, they're nothing more than liars who we simply can't trust again. How can we believe them that they'll need special permission to charge 9K when they've already lied to us in a big way?


Were you there or watching the BBC which is funded by Government?


Many police are there for a ruck. A policeman in Brighton asked a student how it was going in London and if the MET had "left any old vans for you guys again?". The police is riddled with corrupt men and women, it's a shame but that's how it is. The good are in the minority which is disgusting but that's how it is now.


You go one way expecting to be let out, they then tell you to go back to where you came from. This was where it was kicking off initially. So they expect you to go back there and get hit by the police. People didn't want to do that so stayed, they then charged. A flare was thrown at the police to stop them beating a woman who fell on the floor and evidently injured so couldn't go back. They're utter filth. Check the news today and you'll see one stand out story without even looking into much detail.


We didn't break the line, we followed the group and police directions because that time the other route was shut as the police wanted everyone in one area (on the green). We had no choice so it was hardly breaking the route. The filth said you could go if you were evidently not a trouble maker and yet we couldn't go.


Protests which are supported by others uniting against the cuts. Have you missed the big solidarity campaign? Jesus.


The people like us want to get our voice heard. Lighting candles simply wont do it. The media are still obsessing over last week, I can't see them obsessing over a couple of candles.


Your type will be the ones who will only moan when it affects them.

Okay I have a lot of things to rip at you from that.


Firstly...as FJ said, please show evidence how the fees are going to put us into "a life time of debt"? You can't base "evidence" on assumptions. The Government try not to lie...they say what they feel at the time, but they sometimes have to go back on that when it's necessary. I'm not saying every time a politician goes back on their word it's right but at least give him a break..he's using his brain now.

Secondly, stop referring to the police as "filth" they are anything but. They are the peace-keepers. YOU are the filth. If you think it's right to go off the organised route - told to or not - and vandalise several monumental places & buildings.

And finally...We won't be moaning. I cannot see a problem with £3k more debt per year when earning £6k more...USE YOUR LOGIC PLEASE.

[Spuds]

Okay I have a lot of things to rip at you from that.


Firstly...as FJ said, please show evidence how the fees are going to put us into "a life time of debt"? You can't base "evidence" on assumptions. The Government try not to lie...they say what they feel at the time, but they sometimes have to go back on that when it's necessary. I'm not saying every time a politician goes back on their word it's right but at least give him a break..he's using his brain now.

Secondly, stop referring to the police as "filth" they are anything but. They are the peace-keepers. YOU are the filth. If you think it's right to go off the organised route - told to or not - and vandalise several monumental places & buildings.

And finally...We won't be moaning. I cannot see a problem with £3k more debt per year when earning £6k more...USE YOUR LOGIC PLEASE.

May I ask what "rip" is? I presume it's a word used in the playground to make someone look like a fool? I'm not quite sure though as I've long since left the playground, perhaps you can shine some light on the situation for me though. It'll be a pleasure if you can lower me to your standard then we can discuss whether you "ripped" me or not. This presuming of course that "rip" generally does mean what I said, it was simply a stab in the dark by myself. So as I asked, please shine some light on this situation as checking your posts you've previously classed "ripped" as something which you wish to be. State of confusion is occurring at these headquarters.

My evidence occurred last week when Nick Clegg gave permission for the new system to come into place. If he generally meant what he told the students then he would go against the new scheme, instead he valued his political job more than his political beliefs. You could say it was a bit ironic considering his political job will be all but over come the next election. Clegg made a promise, a man should stick to his promise otherwise once broken it leaves someone unhappy (or in Clegg's case, thousands).

The police who ripped (should I use another word considering you used "rip" in a different context earlier, don't want to confuse matters) Jody McIntyre out of his wheelchair are filth. The officer who hit Alfie Meadows with his truncheon meaning he had to have a brain operation is filth. The list could go on, my next stop in the list would be the officers at G20. If you read my post I didn't agree with the vandalism of the memorial's.

You can't see a problem with an extra 9K or 18K debt? If you wish to be a doctor it'd be even more debt. The Government have reasons for this and it's simply not right.

[Conservative,]

May I ask what "rip" is? I presume it's a word used in the playground to make someone look like a fool? I'm not quite sure though as I've long since left the playground, perhaps you can shine some light on the situation for me though. It'll be a pleasure if you can lower me to your standard then we can discuss whether you "ripped" me or not. This presuming of course that "rip" generally does mean what I said, it was simply a stab in the dark by myself. So as I asked, please shine some light on this situation as checking your posts you've previously classed "ripped" as something which you wish to be. State of confusion is occurring at these headquarters.

My evidence occurred last week when Nick Clegg gave permission for the new system to come into place. If he generally meant what he told the students then he would go against the new scheme, instead he valued his political job more than his political beliefs. You could say it was a bit ironic considering his political job will be all but over come the next election. Clegg made a promise, a man should stick to his promise otherwise once broken it leaves someone unhappy (or in Clegg's case, thousands).

The police who ripped (should I use another word considering you used "rip" in a different context earlier, don't want to confuse matters) Jody McIntyre out of his wheelchair are filth. The officer who hit Alfie Meadows with his truncheon meaning he had to have a brain operation is filth. The list could go on, my next stop in the list would be the officers at G20. If you read my post I didn't agree with the vandalism of the memorial's.

You can't see a problem with an extra 9K or 18K debt? If you wish to be a doctor it'd be even more debt. The Government have reasons for this and it's simply not right.

Rip is argue/disagree/attack.

Anyway that is no evidence. I'm sorry but until you put up some statistics that the government are going to further change the system (which there is none so good luck) I will refuse to believe you.

The police may have been aggressive but they did have cause to...I disagree with the actions of pulling Jodie McIntyre out of his chair and of the truncheon, but that was 2 incidents, involving 2 police of thousands. Whereas the students there were several hundred if not thousands going off the stated path and causing chaos.

No I can't see a problem with £9k extra debt when you're going to be earning (after 3 years - the average time of study) £18k more than the old Government's system to even have to pay it.

[Catzsy]

Rip is argue/disagree/attack.

Anyway that is no evidence. I'm sorry but until you put up some statistics that the government are going to further change the system (which there is none so good luck) I will refuse to believe you.

The police may have been aggressive but they did have cause to...I disagree with the actions of pulling Jodie McIntyre out of his chair and of the truncheon, but that was 2 incidents, involving 2 police of thousands. Whereas the students there were several hundred if not thousands going off the stated path and causing chaos.

No I can't see a problem with £9k extra debt when you're going to be earning (after 3 years - the average time of study) £18k more than the old Government's system to even have to pay it.

Robbie that is 27K just in tuition fees. With living and books etc, etc we are talking about 50k for each student who will sometime want to buy a house and have this huge debt hanging over him. Answer me this why the students as opposed to Vodafone and other fat cats who owe
70 billion in taxes they have avoided. The way it is going on they will get away with it and we will all have to start paying health insurance etc, etc. This could be the beginning of a very long slippery road and unless you benefit from nothing from the state I do not know why you are so vocal about it. As far as the protests go the police have identified anarchists from all over the world as well as far left groups who have infiltrated what is otherwise a peaceful demonstration. I am not saying some of the student's were not easily led but I don't agree with the policy of the police to arrest afterwards. They know who the trouble makers are and they should hauled out as soon as they are seen. They do this to known football hoioligans.

[Conservative,]

Robbie that is 27K just in tuition fees. With living and books etc, etc we are talking about 50k for each student who will sometime want to buy a house and have this huge debt hanging over him. Answer me this why the students as opposed to Vodafone and other fat cats who owe
70 billion in taxes they have avoided. The way it is going on they will get away with it and we will all have to start paying health insurance etc, etc. This could be the beginning of a very long slippery road and unless you benefit from nothing from the state I do not know why you are so vocal about it. As far as the protests go the police have identified anarchists from all over the world as well as far left groups who have infiltrated what is otherwise a peaceful demonstration. I am not saying some of the student's were not easily led but I don't agree with the policy of the police to arrest afterwards. They know who the trouble makers are and they should hauled out as soon as they are seen. They do this to known football hoioligans.

You would spend £23k over 3 years on living fees? If you're going to go so crazy get a job...but I would say you could easily live only spend between £2-5k a year if you flat-share with friends.

And I am saying the EXTRA £3k per year is cancelled out by the extra £6k per year you will earn afterwards when having to pay it off...it makes sense? If you could afford to pay it upfront now, then with the extra £6k per year cancelling out the rise (and giving you £3k extra to spend on whatever) and you don't have to pay it up front. There's no interest rate until you're earning about £30k+ (can't remember exact figure) and so why everyone complaining is past me.

These changes leave you BETTER OFF.

The original fees: £3k per year
New fees: £6k (the normal maximum of 6k - only heightened for top Unis willing to give huge grants to poorer students)
difference = 3k

Current rate for paying back: 15k
New rate: 21k
difference = 6k

Do some simple year 4 maths = +3k to you!

[Catzsy]

You would spend £23k over 3 years on living fees? If you're going to go so crazy get a job...but I would say you could easily live only spend between £2-5k a year if you flat-share with friends.

And I am saying the EXTRA £3k per year is cancelled out by the extra £6k per year you will earn afterwards when having to pay it off...it makes sense? If you could afford to pay it upfront now, then with the extra £6k per year cancelling out the rise (and giving you £3k extra to spend on whatever) and you don't have to pay it up front. There's no interest rate until you're earning about £30k+ (can't remember exact figure) and so why everyone complaining is past me.

These changes leave you BETTER OFF.

The original fees: £3k per year
New fees: £6k (the normal maximum of 6k - only heightened for top Unis willing to give huge grants to poorer students)
difference = 3k

Current rate for paying back: 15k
New rate: 21k
difference = 6k

Do some simple year 4 maths = +3k to you!

Answer my questions Robbie. I don't need a lesson in Maths.