ONLY THE SNP WILL PROTECT NORTH LANARKSHIRE STUDENTS

It was Sarwar’s Labour Party which first introduced fees back in 1998, imposed back-door fees in Scotland through the graduate endowment, and then subsequently voted against the abolition of the tax by the SNP in 2008.

Tuition fees in England have risen to £9,535 since Labour came to power last year whilst fees have also risen in Labour-run Wales. Meanwhile Sarwar’s own finance spokesperson Michael Marra hinted last year that the party would examine models to reintroduce some form of charges in Scotland.

Record numbers of students from our most deprived areas in Scotland are going to university due to the SNP’s continued support for free tuition.

Ms Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said:

“Scottish Labour’s campaigning now revolves around keeping popular SNP policies.  Free tuition fees for students in my constituency have been protected by the SNP in Government.

“In opposition, Labour campaigned against the two-child cap, argued to keep the universal winter fuel payment, promised lower energy bills, vowed to save Grangemouth, and stood alongside the WASPI women. 

“They have broken every one of these promises at the first sniff of power.  So why should we trust anything Anas Sarwar has to say on tuition fees? 

“Labour will not stand up for Scotland.  Instead of challenging his London bosses, Anas Sarwar is adopting SNP policies and hoping no one notices. “Under the SNP, we have record numbers of Scottish students securing places at our universities, and recent figures showed a rise in students from the most disadvantaged communities.

“This progress has only been made possible because the SNP abolished Labour’s tuition fees.”