University of Huddersfield Students’ Union president Junaid Ejaz warns of funding ‘stitch-up’

A STUDENT leader believes the Government is planning a ‘stitch-up’ over tuition fees.

University of Huddersfield Students’ Union president Junaid Ejaz has predicted that a new review would recommend a hike in fees.

He said: “I have no doubt that a review panel dominated by business and university leaders is designed to stitch-up students with yet another inflation-busting hike in tuition fees.

“Students will not stand for this.”

Business secretary Lord Mandelson this week launched the review of tuition fees in England which are currently a maximum of £3,225 a year.

Former BP chief executive Lord Browne will chair the seven-strong panel which will not report until after next year’s General Election.

Mr Ejaz said: “I am appalled by Labour and Conservative attempts to duck difficult questions on student fees and finance at the next General Election.”

He added that students would use their votes at the General Election to support candidates who opposed a hike in tuition fees.

Mr Ejaz said: “If Labour and Conservative leaders believe they can maintain their cosy consensus of silence until the General Election and beyond they have another thing coming.

“Any parliamentary candidate that does not sign the National Union of Students’ pledge to vote against an increase in fees and support our calls for a fairer funding system will be named and shamed before polling day.

“In 2005 the student vote made a significant difference in towns and cities across the UK. Our message is clear: candidates must vote with us or students won’t vote for them.”

Lord Browne said the task of the review would be to “make recommendations to secure the vitality of higher education in this country while ensuring that finance does not become a barrier to those who have the ability and motivation for further study.”

Lord Browne’s panel includes Sir Michael Barber, head of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s delivery unit; Diane Coyle of the Competition Commission, Rajay Naik of the Big Lottery Fund and Peter Sands, chief executive of Standard Chartered bank. Vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham David Eastwood and Julia King, vice-chancellor of Aston University, will also serve on the panel.