Labour will scrap university tuition fees if they win general election

The Labour Party will scrap tuition fees “once and for all” if the party wins power, the shadow Chancellor has said. In interviews today, the party refused to say whether or not axing fees – of up to £9,250 per year at English universities – will be in the party’s manifesto. But footage has emerged of John McDonnell, the shadow Chancellor, revealing the policy during a speech in Mansfield. 

“Free at the point of need throughout life. And that means ending the cuts in the schools at primary and secondary level. It means free childcare. It means free school training when you need it throughout life. “And yes it means scrapping tuition fees once and for all so we don’t burden our kids with debt for the future.” The Coalition’s tripling of tuition fees in 2012 forced a collapse in the Liberal Democrats’ poll ratings, which all but wiped out Nick Clegg’s party three years later. 

Scott said: "this is great news for those young people who wish to choose University as an option in life. Those young people may well have been prevented from doing so based on the huge charges introduced by the Tories and Libdems.