North East Greens commit to NUS Scotland campaign for free education

The Scottish Green Party’s top North East candidate Martin Ford today
confirmed his wholehearted support for the fundamental principle of
free education which is central to NUS Scotland's Reclaim Your Voice
campaign. (1)

The campaign calls on politicians across Scotland's political parties
to rule out the introduction of student tuition fees, to protect
graduate numbers and college places, and to improve student support
after the election. It is supported by all of the Greens’ top
candidates across the whole of Scotland.

The Greens' national election campaign, which was launched last week,
included the protection of free education as one of the party's three
key election campaign pledges, alongside a £100m a year programme to
insulate every home in Scotland, and a commitment to fairer taxes to
support investment in public services. (2)

Martin Ford, the Greens’ top north-east candidate, said:

“Both education establishments and students are being squeezed by the
current cuts agenda. They should know that the Scottish Green Party
stands with them.

"If elected, I will not vote for any fees, under any name, nor any
additional graduate contribution. Graduates already make a fair
contribution through Income Tax, and the more they earn, the more they
pay."

Patrick Harvie, Co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party, added:

"We know that closing down educational establishments and teaching
departments weakens higher education for the longer term. The NUS
Scotland campaign therefore poses a tough question for the other
parties who want to look like they're backing students; where's the
money coming from?

“Only the Greens are ready with an alternative to the cuts, built on
fairer taxes so the wealthiest pay more and public services can be
protected. That way we know we can fund higher education properly and
keep fees out for the long term."

Liam Burns, President of NUS Scotland, said:

"The Scottish Greens have made a firm commitment to Scotland's
students, which is great news. Students across Scotland will now be
working to secure similar commitments from candidates across all the
parties standing in May's elections. In what could be a really close
contest any party or candidate that does commit to students can expect
to see the difference at the ballot box in May."

"The Scottish Greens have shown that they're fully committed to
Scotland's students. This is testament to the hard work of thousands
of students over the last few weeks and months. By backing our
campaign and committing to fight
fees, protect numbers and improve financial help for students during
the next parliament it's clear that the voice of students in Scotland
is beginning to be heard loud and clear.”

"We cannot see fees ruled out only to see financial help for the
poorest students continue at their current inadequate levels. If the
Scottish Greens are promising to use public funding to rule out fees,
protect numbers and improve student support, something we very much
welcome, then that clearly leaves no need for any kind of graduate
contribution.”

Notes

1. NUS Scotland's Reclaim Your Voice campaign is calling for
candidates to commit to rule out tuition fees, protect graduate
numbers and college places, and to improve student support. For more
information see: http://www.reclaimyourvoice.co.uk

2. More information on the three pledges is available here:
http://scot.gr/nofees
http://scot.gr/fair
http://scot.gr/warm

Stan Blackley
Senior Press Officer
Scottish Green Party
Mob: 077770 742 449
stan.blackley@scottishgreens.org.uk