The protest, organised by NUS in collaboration with students’ unions from the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford, will involve marches and circus stunts before moving on to Manchester Town Hall at 4.30pm, where students will construct a huge ‘wall of debt’ and ‘£’ sign to symbolise the growing cost of a degree. A public debate with local politicians will then be held at the Town Hall at 7pm.
Local students are taking action as NUS highlights the lack of opportunities open to many young people in some areas of the city:
- Only 1 person in 10 from the Salford constituency goes on to attend university, compared to 5 in 10 from Cheadle;
- It is no coincidence that over 62% of Salford residents are from lower socio-economic backgrounds, compared to just 44% of Cheadle residents.
Even if a poorer student does manage to make it to university, they are still likely to experience inequality:
- The University of Manchester, with just 21% of its students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, is able to spend over £9,200 on each student per year;
- Manchester Metropolitan University, with over 40% of its students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, is only able to spend just over £4,100 on each student per year.
NUS President Wes Streeting said:
“Students in Manchester are taking a stand today because the current university system is failing many young people in this city and across the country.
“At the moment, the average student will graduate with £20,000 of debt. This year’s review of higher education funding will consider pushing fees even higher. This would mean that the most prestigious institutions would be able to charge more than others, pricing out poorer students and worsening the inequality that already exists.
“NUS believes that a university education should be free at the point of use, with graduates giving back to the system depending on how much they earn. Our proposals would give universities double the amount of funding they currently receive, while allowing the children of poorer families to go to university without the fear of debt.”
Kate Little, Academic Affairs Officer for the University of Manchester Students’ Union, said:
“Entry to higher education should be based on the ability to benefit, not the ability to pay. Russell Group and 1994 Group Vice Chancellors' calls for higher fees are selfish and short-sighted, and ignore the immense financial pressures that students are under.”
Today’s student action is part of a series of NUS ‘Town Takeovers’, which will see protests and Town Hall debates in 10 cities across England during October, November and December.
Rob Boardman, President of Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union, said:
“Manchester Metropolitan University works hard to widen access to higher education for local people who would not traditionally have had the chance to go to university. We feel the current system punishes those universities which invest in widening participation, and that any good review of the system should seek to reward it.”
Matthew Webber, President of the University of Salford Students’ Union, said:
“This campaign gives students a great opportunity to make sure their voices are heard on the issue of fees ahead of the forthcoming general election.”
The Manchester Town Hall debate will take place between 7 and 9pm on Wednesday. Speakers include Wes Streeting, President, NUS; Tom Ross, Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Altrincham and Sale West; Marc Ramsbottom, Liberal Democrat Party Parliamentary Candidate for Manchester Central; Justine Hall, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Manchester Gorton; and Professor Kevin Bonnett, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Manchester Metropolitan University.
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