Tag Archive for 'tuition fees'

Hilary tops poll at education debate

Published on March 14, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

On 11 March 2010, Hilary Myers took place in an education debate at Todmorden High School, organised by the NUT. The panel featured Steph Booth (Labour), Hilary Myers (Lib Dem), Craig Whittaker (Conservative) as well as Christine Blower (NUT General Secretary) and Rebecca Senior (Head Girl of Tod High).

Hilary spoke about Lib Dem plans to invest an extra £2.5bn in schools, and highlighted the shortcomings of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future policy whereby it has penalised schools like Todmorden High which have improved their results, meaning they are less likely to get new buildings. She also pointed out that the Tories would cut money allocated to rebuild schools, and divert it into building new academies, which would be of no use to pupils in the Calder Valley.

After each question, a group of around a dozen sixth formers/first time voters were asked to vote electronically, and anonymously, on who had answered the question best. Hilary got the highest score of the politicians on every single question.

At the end of the event, this group were asked to vote on the question “who would get your vote now?”. Hilary topped the poll with an overwhelming 61.5% of the vote, proving that not only are Liberal Democrat education policies head and shoulders above the other parties, but that Hilary Myers is the only candidate for Calder Valley trusted to deliver on education.

The final votes, as shown in the picture above, were as follows:

  • Labour: 7.7%
  • Conservative: 7.7%
  • Liberal Democrats: 61.5%
  • Green Party: 23.1%
  • UKIP: 0%
  • BNP: 0%
  • Other: 0%

View report of the debate in the Halifax Courier.

Spring 2010 campaign – Education

Published on March 12, 2010 in News. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

One of Tony Blair’s most famous speeches prior to his election in 1997 promised that his top three priorities would be “Education, education, education”. Thirteen years later, the Labour government’s record on education has gone from bad to worse.

Government figures from January 2010 reveal that the gap between poorer children and the better-off is clear when they are only five years old. Labour’s shameful failure to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds extra support means that this gap grows wider as children grow older.

Liberal Democrats would spend an extra £2.5bn on schools, giving them the money they need to cut class sizes and run catch-up classes, particularly for younger children. This will help ensure all children get the individual attention they need and a fair start in life.

For university students, we have a carefully costed plan for phasing out tuition fees. Liberal Democrats believe it’s fundamentally wrong that young graduates start their working live owing tens of thousands of pounds to the state.

But it’s about more than just money. We would reduce the number of tests taken by primary school children. Additionally, we would replace the national curriculum with a slimmed down “minimum curriculum entitlement”, enabling teachers to be more flexible and creative. We would enable older pupils to take a mixture of academic study and vocational training, to better prepare themselves for the world of work.

David Laws MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, says:

“The gap between poorer children and the better-off is clear when they are only five years old. Labour’s shameful failure to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds extra support means that this gap grows wider as children grow older.

The Conservatives’ plans will mean many schools have their budgets slashed.

Liberal Democrats will give schools the money to cut class sizes and provide children who are struggling with more individual support by committing an extra £2.5bn.”

Hilary Myers, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Calder Valley, says:

“We have made a key strategic decision, in this age of austerity that is upon us, to increase spending in one important area – our children’s future. I believe that dedicating £2500 each for one million of our poorest children is right, sensible and fair.”

Standing up for students

Published on February 28, 2010 in News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Hilary Myers at Todmorden High School

Hilary Myers, Liberal Democrat PPC for Calder Valley, today signed a pledge to voters ahead of the forthcoming general election that she will vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has launched the Vote for Students campaign to encourage candidates to pledge to protect student interests by opposing attempts to lift the cap on student top-up fees.

The Vote for Students funding pledge states:

“I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament, and will put pressure on the Government to introduce a fairer alternative.”

Hilary Myers said:

“New graduates are being saddled with thousands of pounds worth of debt at a time when they already struggling to find a job and make ends meet. The Liberal Democrats believe that a university education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go to university and not be put off by the cost.”

NUS President Wes Streeting said:

“The vast majority of the general public is against higher fees, and although this review has been set up to report after the general election, voters deserve to know where their MP stands on this highly emotive issue.

“I am delighted that Hilary Myers is standing up for students and their families in Calder Valley by signing up to this pledge. She has demonstrated her determination to give every young person in Calder Valley a fair chance to go to university.”

A recent YouGov poll commissioned by NUS revealed that 88% of the public does not think the review should even consider increasing fees, while a majority believes that it should look at alternatives. Last year, research by Opinionpanel showed that a political party’s position on tuition fees would affect how 79% of students would vote in a general election.