SMITH SLAMS TORIES FOR FAILING STUDENTS

12.00.00am GMT Wed 30th Jan 2008

Iain Smith MSP has launched a scathing attack on the Conservatives for "failing students" by opposing scrapping the Graduate Endowment scheme and instead wanting to reintroduce tuition fees.

The North East Fife MSP made his remarks as the Bill to scrap the Graduate Endowment makes its way though the Scottish Parliament, having passed stage 2 and due to complete stage 3 by the end of February.

Commenting, Mr Smith said, "The Conservatives are quite simply, failing students with their opposition to end the graduate endowment and are compounding this by wanting to reintroduce tuition fees. The Liberal Democrats are committed to ending student debt, the Conservatives are committed to making it bigger.

"The Tories are floundering right now after selling their souls on the SNP budget, which has offered them no guarantees on their demands. The Liberal Democrats are the only party in Scotland offering real and effective opposition to this Government of spin and deception," concluded Iain Smith.

ENDS