Liberal Democrats give a GIFT at Christmas

Student grants should be reintroduced, as should summer holiday housing benefit and income support, while upfront tuition fees should be scrapped, say the Liberal Democrats.

They dubbed their push for the student vote "GIFTS" - Grants for poor students, an Increased student loan threshold, Fair and equal access, abolition of Tuition fees and Summer benefits.

The Lib Dems said England should follow the Scottish example whereby graduates will pay back half their tuition fees in the form of an endowment when they earn enough to afford it. The proceeds will be invested in widening access. About 50 per cent of students would be exempt.