Lammy calls on David Willetts to apoligise for "burden" comments

David Lammy MP (Lab, Tottenham), the Shadow Minister for Higher Education, said:

“God only knows why David Willetts has effectively bypassed the Independent Fees Review with his comments today. He has torn-up the important principles of widening participation and affordability for students and parents weeks before it has published its findings.”

David added:
 

“It is insulting to describe students as a “burden on the taxpayer” and David Willetts should apologise to students and their parents for this smear.”

“What else does he consider to be a 'burden'? Pensioners? The unemployed? Those is need of care?”
 
“These comments belie the coalition worldview that public expenditure is always “waste”, rather than an investment in a stronger economy and better society."

On the coalition, David added:

“Just weeks after the election, the coalition has descended into farce on higher education.

“David Willetts hints fees should rise, his boss, Vince Cable, wants to cut student numbers instead. Meanwhile the new deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats is touring the TV studios saying he will accept neither.

“Students and Universities need a government with one position, not three.”