Labour ‘failed to match’ higher education ambitions
By Peter Wozniak
The last government failed to match its ambitions on higher education, Labour’s former universities minister has admitted to politics.co.uk.
David Lammy insisted that Labour’s policies had “paid dividends” in encouraging the poor to participate in higher education, but acknowledged the former government’s failure to “take responsibility” on the issue.
In a comment piece for politics.co.uk, Mr Lammy argued: “Labour have to be honest and admit that however successful the schemes and initiatives to drive up access and participation, they did not match the scale of our ambitions.
“In circumspect we relied too much on the good will of individual universities when in fact it is the government that has to step up and take responsibility for something so essential to social justice and fairness.”
The comments echo the shift in Labour’s position since losing power in May. Since becoming leader, Ed Miliband has become a staunch proponent of a graduate tax – the idea initially mooted by Vince Cable but later dismissed by the coalition government.
In prime minister’s questions this week, Mr Miliband attacked the Liberal Democrats in particular for supporting a raising of the cap on tuition fees. He told the Commons: “We now know the cost of Liberal Democrats’ ministerial cars – £9,000 for students.”
Mr Lammy launched a debate in parliament on Wednesday on the issue and mocked the failure of any Lib Dem MPs to attend.
The tuition fees issue has been a tortuous one for the coalition’s junior party, as all Lib Dem MPs pledged before the election not to vote through any rise in fees.
The government’s decision not to take on the proposal from the Browne review to lift the cap on fees entirely – and further policies such as the national scholarship scheme forcing universities which charge over £6,000 to provide more places for poorer students – has done little to mollify discontent in the party.
Attacking the government’s professed commitment to keep higher education funding ‘progressive’, the Tottenham MP said the changes would force poorer students to take a “financial leap of faith” to go to university.
He added: “The government has made it inevitable that some of the most capable students from the poorest families will make choices based on cost rather than academic talent.
“Are we really comfortable with a system where students turn down Oxford University for Oxford Brookes in order to be in less debt?”
