Bridget condems £50 million of waste by Labour Govt.

6.24.40pm GMT Tue 8th Mar 2005

The prestigious House of Commons Select Committee on Education and Skills has revealed that the UK e-University (UkeU) cost £50M yet attracted only 900 students - fewer students than some secondary schools. The committee highlights a £44,914 performance related bonus paid to John Beaumont, the UKeU's former chief executive, in addition to his £180,000 annual salary in March 2003. The project was a year behind schedule at the time.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner Bridget Fox says, "We have over 40,000 students living or studying in Islington many of whom now face the frightening prospect of a lifetime of debt thanks to Labour's broken promises on tuition fees. People have not forgotten that a majority of just 3 Labour MPs - including Chris Smith - forced top-up fees through. Now we have this shameful waste of public money on the e-University. It is disgusting to find that £50M of public money was squandered on this failed private venture when local universities and students could have benefited so much more from that investment."

Bridget adds, "Since Labour introduced tuition fees, drop-out rates for Islington students have already doubled and top-up fees will put even more pressure onto students. Many of Islington's brightest students will no longer be able to afford to go to university. To throw millions of pounds that could have assisted them into the failed e-University is a total disgrace. Only the Liberal Democrats have pledged to abolish tuition fees as we have already done in Scotland."