- Student
Funds
After the announcement made by the
Prime Minister concerning the abolition of tuition fees, the government
has announced it will review student funding. The Westminster review
follows a Welsh Assembly inquiry into student debt, which identified a "mismatch
between the vision and the reality of the government education
policy".
Teresa Rees, who chaired the investigation, recommended that an
introduction of a basic grant of up to £1,500 for students in higher
education.
Rees also recommended that students should be allowed to pay their tuition
fees after they have graduated rather than the existing 'pay as you go'
system. It is hoped a new scheme would alleviate student debt.
Steve Brooks, President of the National Union of Students in Wales, said "We
are delighted by the news that the government has finally decided to
review student funding. Although we've had an investigation in
Wales, many of the changes students want to see nationwide can only be
enacted by Westminster."
The NUS is also running a 'Priced Out Pushed Out' campaign
for the outright abolition of tuition fees.
Article By Miranda Schunke and photomontage by Patrick Trollope.
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Legalisation
of Drugs!
The debate on the legalisation of
drugs is continuing after renewed calls for an adult debate on the
subject. Last weekend, a large number of Liberal Democrat
delegates called for an examination of the case for legalising all
drugs. The reasons for legalisation would be to improve health by
removing the impurities in black market drugs and also to end the
trade of drug pushing.
The debate comes after increasing dissatisfaction with the
government's current soft drugs policy. Former deputy Conservative leader, Peter Lilley
called for the legalisation of cannabis in July while ex-cabinet
minister Mo Mowlam called the current level of parliamentary debate on
cannabis "a farce".
Police in Brixton became the first in the country to formally turn a "blind
eye" to the possession of small amounts of cannabis
earlier this year. Although the Prime Minister remains opposed
to legalisation, Home Secretary David Blunkett has called for an
"adult, intelligent" debate on the issue.
Article by Miranda Schunke and photograph by Phill Rodwell
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