The Minister was responding to a Westminster Hall debate in which MPs from all parties praised the role of NUS in the ensuing debate on funding. NUS was variously congratulated for the effectiveness of its "extremely well organised" lobby in which it asked MPs to come clean on fees and for its Blueprint for the Future of Higher Education Funding.
Labour MP and former Treasury Minister Andrew Smith MP congratulated NUS for the effectiveness of its recent lobby. He said: “That lobby was extremely well organised and I think that it has influenced the course of this very important discussion that we are having.”
Conservative Whip Rob Wilson MP said: “over the past few years, the NUS has greatly improved its communications with Members of Parliament and its lobbying efforts”.
The Reading East MP said he hoped that the Higher Education Minister would treat “the views of the student population of Reading and the NUS with the seriousness and respect they deserve. The review should consider “the NUS for a graduate tax” as the organization … Of course, the National Union of Students does its utmost to articulate the entire student voice and it rightly has a big role to play during the review.”
Conservative Shadow Skills Minister John Hayes MP said the future system should empower learners: “That argument has been powerfully made by the NUS and student unions. I entirely endorse the support that my hon. Friend has offered the NUS and student unions. At university I was union treasurer and my hon. Friend was president of his student union, so there is no prejudice among Conservative Members against the student voice-far from it.”
Liberal Democrat universities spokesperson Stephen Williams MP said: “It is crucial that the review should look at the various alternative positions, and the National Union of Students has done us a service by putting forward its idea of a graduate tax. However, whatever happens, it is not good enough for the Labour and Conservative parties to hide behind the review at the next general election and say, "We will have to wait and see."
Higher Education Minister David Lammy attacked the Liberal Democrat policy of supporting a freeze on fees and therefore a limit of student numbers, arguing that the party must “come clean with students”.