OPPOSITION PARTIES HAIL TOP-UP FEES AGREEMENT

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Jun 2005

THE three opposition leaders in the National Assembly today welcomed news of an agreement on university top-up fees in Wales.

Following lengthy negotiations with the Labour First Minister, a series of principles have been established which will mean Welsh domiciled students will not have to pay top-up fees at Welsh universities.

The talks have also led to a commitment from the Labour Assembly Government to address the funding gap between Welsh higher education institutions and comparable colleges elsewhere in the UK.

The agreement - which will need to be ratified by the National Assembly - includes:

1. All Welsh domiciled students will NOT pay top-up fees at universities in Wales

2. A commitment by the Labour Assembly Government to address the funding gap between Welsh higher education institutions and others elsewhere in the UK.

3. The introduction of a national bursary scheme, including additional incentives to study shortage subjects - such as mathematics and engineering.

4. Extra support for higher education through the medium of Welsh

5. Commit the assembly government to a scheme helping Welsh students pursuing approved courses not available to Welsh higher education institutions

6. Further work on funding and support for part-time students

The leader of Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales in the National Assembly, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, said:

"This is a very significant step forward for our students and higher education institutions. We have delivered on the motion passed by the assembly in full. We had to find a situation which all parties could agree on which ensured a better deal for Welsh students studying in Wales and a good deal for Welsh higher education institutions. This agreement should encourage a higher number of Welsh students to stay in Wales and will not offer incentives for English students to come here to avoid paying top-up fees. Since a high percentage of graduates stay in the area where they went to university we are also addressing the historic Welsh brain drain. We are extremely pleased to deliver on incentives that encourage Welsh language higher education. While it falls short of what Plaid Cymru wants we believe this represents a good deal. Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales wants to see the issue of all fees reviewed in the future. This shows that the Education Minister has failed to get a good financial settlement for education. This shows the benefits of devolution. Even within the confines of the assembly budget we have been able to make it work for Welsh students and our higher education institutions."

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, Nick Bourne AM, said:

"This is a significant victory for the will of the National Assembly. It will deliver major benefits to Welsh higher education institutions and Welsh students. The Labour Assembly Government is now committed to addressing the funding gap that exists between Welsh universities and those in England. This demonstrates devolution in action in the clearest possible terms and the merits of working together in the interests of the people of Wales. I am delighted that the Welsh Conservatives' motion to rule out top-up fees in Wales has delivered this result. Rhodri Morgan has been forced to listen and has taken on board not only the views of assembly members, but also those of students and universities across Wales."

The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader in the National Assembly, Mike German AM, said:

"This is a great deal for Welsh students. Now Wales has joined Scotland in rejecting top-up fees for the benefit of students. And this deal ensures our universities are able to compete on a level playing field with institutions across the UK.

"Welsh Students will not have to suffer for being from a poorer background and face a mountain of debt before they start their working lives. This is a significant shift in the thinking of the Labour Party.

"Wales needs better trained people with better skills - this sets us on the road to achieving that.

"Part time students are an essential part of higher education in Wales. We have so many of them in Wales, it is vital their needs are not forgotten. For many people it is the only kind of learning that is available. Because of the variety of people who study part time it is a very complex issue. Newport University has 68% of students who study part time - they need a solution to this matter.

"We have been able to defend the right to learn and ensure that Universities are not disadvantaged and address the funding gap to ensure Welsh Universities get the same core funding as English Universities."