devonchow

Writing to MPs regarding tuition fees and subsidised gym membership for young people (Sept - Nov 2010).

Summary

According to David Willetts, the Minister of State for Universities and Science, it becomes clear that the Government wants us to pay much more tuition fees for tertiary education (up to £9k?). He said, "they are strongly opposed to upfront tuition fees" but they effectively want us to have a £30k debt after graduation!!! We have to fight. He promised that the Government will consult. We must ensure they undertake a genuine consultation on key issues and proposals rather than just pretending / doing a show.

1) Letter to Angie Bray MP

As an elected member of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP), I am undertaking a petition of signatures by 11-19 years old to urge the government to consider:
- Reducing student debt by cutting college and university tuition fees or providing a 1-2 year tax holiday to fresh graduates (or a hybrid of them). The former measure of reducing tuition fee is effective so we should support, but the downside is it would increase the public spending burden. That is why the government should consider an alternative of providing a tax holiday. The alternative is not just an effective investment in young people, but also helps to reduce government's cash burden (as this not requires extra subsidies) and incentivise young people to work early rather than relying on unemployment benefits.
- Providing vouchers to students to use local gyms during school holidays (or just those of non-private schools and just for the winter time in light of the current public spending pressures). This proposal helps to resolve the anti-social behaviour and obesity problems and improve UK's performance in sports. Youths do constantly feel stressed and frustrated by study, social (e.g. relationships and unemployment) and family issues. In addition, in my experience some of my friends have been addicted to chatting on Facebook or browsing the internet. In most cases, this does not improve anything. I believe we should encourage the youth to do more sports during school holidays. As I know it doing physical exercise also helps the youth make their mind more efficient, effective, stronger and clearer.

I believe the above investments in youths? education and health are what we want (per Ealing youths' feedback on my manifesto) and can be easily recovered from growth in UK's productivity and wealth, savings in dealing with youth crimes and obesity problems, and perhaps offset by increase in tax from the gym industry.

In relation to the above, would you please let us know your views specifically and answer directly on the following questions, by 26 September if possible:
- What actions you might take to propose the above proposals for MPs to debate at Parliament? If yes what would be the timelines? If no, what are your reasons?
- Do you agree that the government should spend £50m to trial the above proposals? If yes, what is your plan to take this forward? If not, what are your reasons?

I appreciate any time you might spend in considering the above proposals and look forward to hearing from you. Your inputs would help to inform my school surgeries and the UK Youth Parliament's debate on 29 October.