McClarty welcomes launch of independent tuition fees review

David McClarty MLA, Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson for Employment and Learning has welcomed the news that Sir Reg Empey has launched the independent review of variable fees and student finance. He has also defended the Minister for Employment and Learning for his proposals to increase tuition fees next year in line with inflation. Speaking in response to protests recently by students against the plan Mr. McClarty pointed out that not to implement the increase would damage our universities' ability to deliver on their current plans and compete in a very aggressive higher education market.

In a statement Mr. McClarty said.

"I welcome the news that the Minister for Employment and Learning has launched the first independent review in the United Kingdom of variable fees and student finance. This review will be able to look at all aspects of the current debate and propose a way forward based on evidence. Contrary to some reports the Minister was always committed to this review and he has now delivered.

"I particularly welcome the fact that the review will contain a steering group to ensure stakeholder interests are represented throughout the project. It is very important that all the relative parties' views are represented and this includes student bodies"

Turning to the recent protests by students concerned about inflationary increases in student fees Mr. McClarty said:

"Whilst I recognise that student fees are a highly emotive topic and that students have legitimate concerns, some perspective needs to be brought to this debate. This proposed increase in student fees is merely to keep fees in line with inflation. It represents no increase in real terms. It should be noted that student support provided by the Department will also increase in line with inflation.

"We must remember that the higher education sector makes a valuable contribution to Northern Ireland economically, socially and culturally. However, it is a very competitive sector throughout the United Kingdom and internationally - if we do not to make this increase in line with inflation we will be penalising our universities and this will ultimately damage students' prospects".

"The Minister has taken the correct action. We needed an independent evidence based review that examined the issues in their entirety and that is what the Minister has delivered".