28 January 2004
UK government destroys equality of access to higher education
The Aotearoa Tertiary Students’ Association – Te Whanau Tauira o Aotearoa (ATSA) notes with disappointment the UK
Parliament’s decision to introduce university ‘top-up’ fees. “This disastrous decision will come back to haunt UK
society in the years ahead,” ATSA President Julie Pettett stated today. “The multi-billion dollar education debt carried
by students and their families in this country will pale into insignificance compared to the nightmare that will unfold
in the UK.”
It is a tragedy for UK society that such a life impacting decision for millions of UK students and their families has
been passed with such a narrow margin,” Pettett stated. “To call this a victory for Tony Blair is an insulting slur on
the UK democratic process.”
The Aotearoa Tertiary Students’ Association will offer its support to the National Union of Students in any campaign to
try and halt the bill’s progress in the House of Lords.
END