AS A NEW YEAR begins in universities and colleges across the country, students tace new attacks Since 1979 students living standards have consistently been under assault. Higher education grants have been to a ludicrouslv low level and stucents torcec to take olt inane The Tories have axed discretionary grants and taken students out of the benefit system.
They now intend to introduce a loan system for the total maintenance bill for undergraduates. This scheme, Known as MICL (Maintenance Income Contingent Loans) is supported by Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs. Several universities are also announcing plans to introduce tuition fees next year.
When the Tories want to reduce puiblic expenditure, student grants for maintenance and tuition fees are regarded as particularly easy picking.
Manv voung neonle are now decid. ing they cannot afford to stay in further or higher education. Education is becoming a privilege to be sold on the market, a division between rich and Door.
THE CINSV NOV THE Mak THE ON Students in need a decent living grant no lower than 70 ner week Any other options impoverish students, and exclude people from less wealthy backgrounds. The principle of free education must be adhered to!
Over the last year, the Campaign for Free Education took a significant and noisy stand against these proposals and against the leadership of the National Union of Students, who want to support the proposals of the Labour Party leadership rather than defend students' needs.
Free Education groups, events and protests are being organised. Students muc mare nke w eęe unoc campaigning against cuts in services, jobs and working conditions in universities and colleges.
Socialist Outlook 108 • September 2/ 1996. A WEEK OF CONFLICT between the Labour Party leadership and the unions finished with headlines in many papers that the link with the unions would be ended.
Despite the denials of junior Employment spokesperson Stephen Byers, what ne is purported to have said is not so new: the arch modernisers around Blair have had this in their sights for some time.
Blair woos business with promises that Labour will protect their profits, that the minimum wage will not be higher than £3.50 an hour, while making Up honi