A TOP Kirklees Tory today slammed controversial university top-up fees.

Clr Robert Light, leader of the Conservatives on Kirklees Council, also hit out at plans to allow councils to charge all but the poorest families for school buses.

He said: "The Labour Government are introducing charges for services which are now funded from general taxation.

"Parents will face £3,000 a year bills to send their children to university and will have to pay to send their children on a school bus. These are taxes in all but name."

He condemned university tuition fees as a tax on learning, leaving young people with huge debts.

He added: "Despite the fact that council taxes have gone through the roof, the Government now wants to increase the burden on hard-working families by making councils charge for school buses.

"It will discourage families from using public transport and increase school-run congestion."