Scrap Tuition Fees to help End 'i-Pod Generation' Misery

5.43.57pm GMT Thu 1st Nov 2007

A critical report published this week reveals that many 18 - 29 year olds are paying nearly half their income in tax. Think tank 'Reform' published the report, which argues that Gordon Brown is putting 'massive burdens' on today's 'iPod (Insecure, Pressurised, Over-taxed and Debt-ridden) Generation ', resulting in less innovation from young people.

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, says:

"One of the causes of the financial pressures put on many young people is Labour's introduction of university tuition and top-up fees, and the resulting student debts that have mounted. Students are leaving university with five figure debts hanging over them, and the average level of debt owed by students is expected to reach £30,000 by 2010. This is unacceptable."

"Most MPs were fortunate enough to have a free education, and if I'm elected as a Member of Parliament, I will be one of a very small number of MPs to have a student loan to pay off. I would use the opportunity in Parliament to call on MPs to give young people the same benefits that they themselves had, and abolish tuition and top up fees. This would result in a large drop in student debt."

"Student debts only affect graduates, but there are many other young people who are being stung by high taxes. Gordon Brown made a serious mistake when he axed the 10p rate of Income Tax, forcing people on low incomes to pay at a higher 20p rate. This move disproportionately affected young people on low incomes. It is astonishing that a Labour Government is introducing these sorts of changes in taxation."

"I agree with one of the conclusions of the report, which is to emphasise the importance of young people playing a role in the political process, and using their vote to influence Government policy. The Government has used low turnout figures amongst younger people as a means to slip through unpopular policies."