That this House is concerned at the increasing debt upon students; notes that students in halls of residence with communal facilities have to pay for individual television licences and that this area is difficult to monitor; and believes that it would be appropriate to exclude all undergraduate students from the requirement to obtain a licence.

That this House is concerned at the increasing debt upon students; notes that students in halls of residence with communal facilities have to pay for individual television licences and that this area is difficult to monitor; and believes that it would be appropriate to exclude all undergraduate students from the...

That this House recognises that medicine should not be an elitist profession; notes the comments of the Lifelong Learning, Higher and Further Education Minister that not enough talented people from working class backgrounds apply to our leading universities; further notes that the Higher Education Bill student support concessions demonstrate the Government's awareness of the potential of its plans to deter students from studying expensive courses such as medicine but fail fully to appreciate the high levels of debt such factors as the extra three years of study cause; and calls on the Government not to introduce any measure that discourages the most talented people in society from studying medicine in order to serve society.

That this House recognises that medicine should not be an elitist profession; notes the comments of the Lifelong Learning, Higher and Further Education Minister that not enough talented people from working class backgrounds apply to our leading universities; further notes that the Higher Education Bill student support concessions demonstrate the...

That this House notes the results of the largest ever independent survey of 16 to 19 year old and adult learners in England, recently undertaken for the Learning and Skills Council; further notes that 94 per cent. of young and adult learners were at least satisfied with their local further education college courses, and nearly a quarter were extremely satisfied; welcomes the news that three-quarters of students said that their previously negative attitude to learning at school had been changed by their college experience; congratulates college leaders, lecturers and other staff on these outstanding results, probably the best in any public sector service; and urges the Government to ensure that such quality in further education can be sustained and improved through appropriate resources in the 2004 spending review.

That this House notes the results of the largest ever independent survey of 16 to 19 year old and adult learners in England, recently undertaken for the Learning and Skills Council; further notes that 94 per cent. of young and adult learners were at least satisfied with their local further...

That this House recognises the widespread concern about the effects variable tuition fees and the perception of debt may have on access to universities, particularly among students from families on modest or lower middle incomes; notes that there are alternative models of funding higher education, which the Department for Education and Skills has considered and which do not involve variable top-up fees; and calls on the Government, therefore, to publish full details of these alternatives to facilitate proper, informed debate and understanding before proceeding with legislation to reform the higher education funding system.

That this House recognises the widespread concern about the effects variable tuition fees and the perception of debt may have on access to universities, particularly among students from families on modest or lower middle incomes; notes that there are alternative models of funding higher education, which the Department for Education...

That this House calls upon the Government to devolve the powers for student finance to the National Assembly for Wales as soon as is practicable.

That this House calls upon the Government to devolve the powers for student finance to the National Assembly for Wales as soon as is practicable.

That this House supports the National Union of Students' campaign against student top-up fees; agrees that the Government's proposals for top-up fees will mean access to university is based on ability to pay not ability to learn; and urges the Government to abandon its plans for top-up fees which will lead to a two-tier higher education system.

That this House supports the National Union of Students' campaign against student top-up fees; agrees that the Government's proposals for top-up fees will mean access to university is based on ability to pay not ability to learn; and urges the Government to abandon its plans for top-up fees which will...

That this House notes the importance of ensuring that no impediments are placed on access to medical schools by students from ethnic and religious minority backgrounds; welcomes the increase in the proportion of medical students coming from the ethnic minorities from 10 per cent. to 33 per cent. over the past two decades; is highly concerned to learn that some medical schools have started restricting the admission of Muslim students because of their opposition to procedures such as abortion and moves to legalise euthanasia; notes also that our medical profession has a long-standing tradition of respect for deeply held conscientious belief; further notes that section 4(1) of the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended) confers a right to abstain from participation upon those persons who hold a conscientious objection to abortion; expresses regret at the intolerance being demonstrated by the admissions authorities of some medical schools on matters of profound ethical importance; and calls upon the Government and the General Medical Council to ensure that medical schools tailor their admission requirements to take account of the ethical and religious sensitivities of their students.

That this House notes the importance of ensuring that no impediments are placed on access to medical schools by students from ethnic and religious minority backgrounds; welcomes the increase in the proportion of medical students coming from the ethnic minorities from 10 per cent. to 33 per cent. over the...

That this House agrees with Government research which indicates that debt and the fear of debt are significant barriers to higher education particularly for under represented groups; notes with concern proposals in the Higher Education White Paper which would significantly increase debt for students on graduation; believes the new proposals will create a two-tier university system, with access based more on the ability to pay than merit; calls on the Government to abandon the idea of top-up fees and to abolish tuition fees for undergraduates throughout the United Kingdom; and supports the restoration of maintenance grants for less affluent students to ensure that access to higher education is open to all.

That this House agrees with Government research which indicates that debt and the fear of debt are significant barriers to higher education particularly for under represented groups; notes with concern proposals in the Higher Education White Paper which would significantly increase debt for students on graduation; believes the new proposals...

That this House notes the recent report from the Commission for Integrated Transport; and acknowledges the desire to provide half-price travel to students and unemployed people, but supports the call from the national Pensioners Convention that the Government should reject any suggestions that pensioners and disabled people should lose their existing entitlement to free travel on public transport in order to give concessions to other disadvantaged groups.

That this House notes the recent report from the Commission for Integrated Transport; and acknowledges the desire to provide half-price travel to students and unemployed people, but supports the call from the national Pensioners Convention that the Government should reject any suggestions that pensioners and disabled people should lose their...

That this House acknowledges the problems in the higher education sector and the continuing uncertainty for universities and their students in relation to future finance arrangements; recognises that any future system of university finance must resolve current funding issues as well as being fair to students; is especially concerned that the Government should set out its plans for the future openly, and not rely on leaks as it has done up to now, and remove the uncertainty which affects parents and young people; and calls on the Government to stand by its manifesto pledge that 'We will not introduce top-up fees and have legislated to prevent them'.

That this House acknowledges the problems in the higher education sector and the continuing uncertainty for universities and their students in relation to future finance arrangements; recognises that any future system of university finance must resolve current funding issues as well as being fair to students; is especially concerned that...

That this House notes that the recently published BMA survey on medical student debt reveals that the average amount of debt incurred by medical students has increased in the past year by 12.5 per cent. from ??9,732 to ??10,966; further notes with concern that debts were much higher amongst medical students from families with lower incomes while 70 per cent. of students surveyed came from professional or managerial backgrounds; calls on the Government urgently to address the issue of spiralling student debt in its deliberations in advance of the publication of its strategy on higher education funding in the New Year as well as how to widen access to higher education, including the study of medicine, for students from poorer backgrounds and those without a family history of involvement in higher education.

That this House notes that the recently published BMA survey on medical student debt reveals that the average amount of debt incurred by medical students has increased in the past year by 12.5 per cent. from ??9,732 to ??10,966; further notes with concern that debts were much higher amongst medical...

That this House welcomes the recent comments of the Welsh Education Secretary Jane Davidson condemning proposals which could see some universities charge students top-up fees; supports her pledge to lobby the Secretary of State for Education against introducing top-up fees; comments to the Government the independent reports in both Wales and Scotland which called for the abolition of all up-front fees; and supports the demand of Early Day Motion No. 2 for the Government to adhere to its policy of ruling out such charges in this and successive and future parliaments.

That this House welcomes the recent comments of the Welsh Education Secretary Jane Davidson condemning proposals which could see some universities charge students top-up fees; supports her pledge to lobby the Secretary of State for Education against introducing top-up fees; comments to the Government the independent reports in both Wales...

That this House condemns any moves to charge commercial rates of interest on student loans; and calls for the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to rule this out at the earliest opportunity.

That this House condemns any moves to charge commercial rates of interest on student loans; and calls for the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to rule this out at the earliest opportunity.

That this House notes with concern that a number of elite universities are making contingency plans for top up fees, which would create a two tier university system; and urges the Government to adhere to its policy of ruling out such extra charges in this and successive future parliaments.

That this House notes with concern that a number of elite universities are making contingency plans for top up fees, which would create a two tier university system; and urges the Government to adhere to its policy of ruling out such extra charges in this and successive future parliaments.

That this House believes that broadening access to higher education is a social and economic imperative; welcomes the commitment from higher education staff and students to help increase the numbers of students from groups that are currently under represented in universities and colleges, including those from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds; believes that the introduction of top-up fees would severely undermine this policy by creating a two-tier university system; urges the Government to introduce significant maintenance support for those students who need it; believes that once students enter university they are entitled to receive a high quality education and that this will only be achieved if there is significant public investment in higher education ensuring sufficient numbers of fairly paid, well-motivated university staff working with modern teaching, learning and research resources; and urges the Government to include these important issues in its forthcoming 10 year strategy for higher education.

That this House believes that broadening access to higher education is a social and economic imperative; welcomes the commitment from higher education staff and students to help increase the numbers of students from groups that are currently under represented in universities and colleges, including those from low-income and ethnic minority...

That this House congratulates the Welsh Assembly on its response to the Rees Report; welcomes its decision to introduce non-repayable maintenance grants for students from low income backgrounds entering further education; and notes that similar provision must be made available for students elsewhere in the United Kingdom to improve access to further education and to meet the skills needs of our nation.

That this House congratulates the Welsh Assembly on its response to the Rees Report; welcomes its decision to introduce non-repayable maintenance grants for students from low income backgrounds entering further education; and notes that similar provision must be made available for students elsewhere in the United Kingdom to improve access...