Higher Education and Student Finance Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Kelvin Hopkins

Main Page: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)

Higher Education and Student Finance

Kelvin Hopkins Excerpts
Tuesday 12th October 2010

(13 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The answer to that question is similar to the one that I gave on the other STEM subjects. Medicine is a costly course, which is why continuing support is needed through the teaching grant from Government to keep graduate contributions at a moderate and reasonable level, and that is what we shall aim to do.

Kelvin Hopkins Portrait Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

I was one of 33 Labour Members who voted against the introduction of fees in 1998. I took that view then, and I have not changed it at all—I do not believe that it is unaffordable or unsustainable. May I suggest to the Secretary of State that the Government seriously attack the tax gap, as less than 10% of the tax gap would pay for fees or, indeed, a quarter of the amount of tax breaks for the rich on their savings?