Lib Dems: Plaid's student fees u-turn will damage university education in Wales

12.00.00am GMT Mon 23rd Mar 2009

The Liberal Democrats remain firmly opposed to tuition fees and top-up fees, and have hit out at Plaid's u-turn on the issue.

Liberal Democrats in Cardiff North have hit out at news that Welsh students studying in Wales will have to pay top-up fees from September 2010 following a u-turn by Plaid Cymru.

The Labour/Plaid Welsh Assembly Government has announced that the £1,940 grant to Welsh students will be phased out from next year. The news follows a u-turn by Plaid, who had stated as recently as last month that they remained opposed to fees.

Cardiff North's Lib Dem spokesman, John Dixon, said: "This move will see funding for Welsh students slashed by about 40%. Labour's debt generation has just become Labour and Plaid's debt generation. It is scandalous that Plaid have acted in this way and sold Welsh students down the river."

Gabalfa councillor and postgraduate student, Ed Bridges, said: "The Welsh Liberal Democrats are opposed to this package, which sees top-up fees arrive in Wales. The Lib Dems remain committed to university education as a right for the many, not a privilege for the few who can afford it."

For more information on the Liberal Democrats' policy on student fees, visit: http://www.scraptuitionfees.com/