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Students march through London to protest against tuition fees and student debt.
Students march through central London to protest against tuition fees and rising debt. Photograph: Matthew Chattle/Rex/Shutterstock
Students march through central London to protest against tuition fees and rising debt. Photograph: Matthew Chattle/Rex/Shutterstock

London student march calls for rich to be taxed to fund free education

This article is more than 6 years old

Students demonstrate in central London amid criticism of government education policies ahead of next week’s budget

Thousands of students have marched through central London demanding free education to be funded by taxing the rich, amid criticism of the government’s education policies ahead of next week’s budget.

The demonstration, supported by Labour, was marred by one minor scuffle, and turnout appeared to be lower than in previous years.

The organisers expected about 10,000 young people to march from Malet Street to parliament but the number who attended may have been significantly lower.

In a pre-recorded video message encouraging students to attend the demonstration, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said: “The political establishment has betrayed young people. Since 2010, the Tories have made unprecedented cuts to further education.

“Now the Tories think that capping university fees at £9,250 will be some sort of remedy to all this. What an insult. Everyone should have access to free education, from the cradle to the grave.”

There has been growing tension in the education sector following the success of a number of Labour pledges during the general election campaign and the defeat of the government in a non-binding vote over raising the fee cap.

Cabinet members have reportedly been considering a number of education reforms before next Wednesday’s budget, including reinstating maintenance grants and reducing or even abolishing tuition fees.

Last year poorer university students were given loans instead of grants for the first time, with many expected to graduate with debts of more than £50,000.

Amid a lively atmosphere on the march – during which a samba band performed and numerous flares were let off – protesters chanted “Education for the masses, not just for the ruling classes” and “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts.”

The march called for universal living grants and the abolition of tuition fees. In past years it has been endorsed by the National Union of Students, but this year the union was not involved, citing as explanation its desire to put resources into other projects.

Sahaya James, one of the organisers from the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, said: “This vibrant protest is made up of young people from all over the country standing up for the principle of education as a public good. We’ve shattered the consensus for tuition fees – now we’re going to win the argument for living grants for all.”

There was a much smaller turnout this year than at last year’s event, believed to be the largest mobilisation of student demonstrators since 2010, when there were a series of violent protests and the occupation of the Conservative party headquarters in Millbank.

The only violent incident this year came at the beginning of the march, when a punch was thrown at a rival demonstrator holding a placard of Margaret Thatcher and claiming to be from Tory HQ.

At the time of writing, the Metropolitan police said no arrests had been made.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Our student finance system removes financial barriers for those hoping to study, and is backed by the taxpayer with outstanding debt written off after 30 years. Unlike commercial alternatives, student loans are available to everyone, regardless of background or financial history.

“We have recently announced the repayment threshold will increase from £21,000 to £25,000, which will put more money in the pockets of graduates.”

More on this story

More on this story

  • Scottish ministers cut spending on free university places

  • Minister rules out lifting cap on student tuition fees in England

  • UK students seek compensation for Covid-affected tuition

  • May urges Tories to cut tuition fees and revive student grants

  • Give worse-off students £3,000 to stay in education, says report

  • Cutting tuition fees misses the point. We need to overhaul the whole system

  • UK universities told to compensate students over campus strikes

  • EU students could face higher fees to study in UK from 2020

  • The government's plans to cut student fees threaten life-changing research

  • Tuition fee cut 'would force universities to shrink course sizes'

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