Lynne Featherstone, Lynne, top-up fees are still a huge issue for many students as the policy is likely to leave them heavily indebted by the time they leave University. However, many students are facing more immediate issues especially rising prices on basic commodities and reduced employment opportunities. As a result, many are asking for more immediate government support to help them cope with the impending pinch. How should the government react to support students so that they can cope with the problems arising from the economic downturn?
Asked by joerinaldi on Oct 01 2008 12:27:11 PM and supported by 27 members
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The Lib Dems have a number of recent proposals to deal with the current financial crisis, which would more or less directly impact on students. One that is especially relevant is the push for the differential minimum wage to be abolished (where the pay rate of 16 and 17 year olds is lower than for the 18+), and this will help young people who want a bit more money in their pocket.
From a more general point of view the Lib Dems are pushing for a number of proposals that will help all segments of society, including students. One suggestion is to increased regulation of the banks- ranging from curbing the bonus culture to increasing regulations of certain institutions, like hedge funds, that are not currently under a particularly high levels of scrutiny.
Another Lib Dem proposal is that house prices should be included when setting interest rates to manage inflation. We are also pushing for an energy windfall tax, whereby energy companies would be taxed on their £9 bn profit made from the emissions trading scheme through reduced energy bills. To deal with fuel poverty, we would push for a wider roll-out of social tariffs to over two million vulnerable customers. With regards to unemployment, the Lib Dems would institute personalised help that would suit job seekers’ individual needs.
We are also calling for investment in renewable energy, home insulation and the railway- green measures that will created thousands of jobs. Lastly, finding a resolution to the EU stalemate on agricultural subsidies would ease international trade and as a result a general decrease in food prices. Many of these measures would have a direct positive effect on students’ finances, and create a more stable financial system that would benefit people in the short as well as long term.
If you want to have a look at the policy document, check out this link:
http://www.libdems.org.uk/assets/0000/8906/economic_recovery_plan.pdf