I hate political threads *sigh* ....
BUT while I'm here, I don't agree with tuition fee hikes for the following reasons:
1) Starting your life with debt (regardless of when or how you pay) sucks.
It sucks, but it's not real debt - it's just another level of income tax. There's no burden of what will happen if you lose your Job or are unable to work. Most students will have a student loan of some amount anyway to help with living costs.
2) People will now be more wary about taking slightly higher paid (but important) jobs as stepping stones to the real higher paid jobs. We'll suffer gaps in industry etc (regardless of the mathematical point that you make Zarf).
I've no idea why this would be the case, they'll be paying £540 LESS every year, which is bound to make things easier (It's like a free months rent)
4) I don't agree with student riots, but they have a point in regards to political promises being broken. I'm angry and I didn't even vote Lib Dem!
A manifesto promise can only be nailed down If the Lib Dems had actually won the election. As it is they're very much the minority partner in a coalition and have to compromise. It's surprising just how many of their policies they were able to push through - notably getting the personal allowance of Income Tax raised up to £10000, which is an extra £700 or so disposable income in the pockets of most people. There was no promise in the coalition agreement about Tuition Fees.
3) There is disparity about fees in Scotland and Wales, it comes down to fairness and England being more expensive is not fair.
5) I also hate the fact that the orignal fee legislation for England was forced through by *Scottish* MP's, who should have abstained in the vote as it had no effect on their own constituents. Infuriating and unfair given that they'd just voted for a different fee system in their own country.
6) I'd prefer to see higher taxes and less burden on students, but that's just me. Saying that education is important and then undermining everything seems crappy to me!
I totally agree, and as I said in my original post I'd be able to understand and supportive If the protests were trying to return us to a zero tuition fee system, but as things are Protesters are only protesting changes which will ultimately make things easier on themselves for the first 15 or so years after Uni.
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