John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

Points of View

University Fees

I welcome recently announced Conservative plans to restore free higher education and to abolish university tuition and top-up fees. Students would instead pay a commercial rate of interest of around 6½% on loans, although grants will be retained for poorer students.

Meanwhile, the expensive university Access Regulator and the Government’s 50% admission target would both be abolished, which would also help to free up funding.

These policies would help to reduce student debt, saving students and their families across Billericay and District up to £3,000 a year when the Government introduces its planned top-up fees.

Across Basildon and District as a whole there are nearly 2,000 students aged 18 or over who might benefit from the policy, and another 2900 students aged between 16-17 – many of whom may soon go to university.

Labour betrayed students by breaking their promise at the general elections not to introduce fees. The Government claims it is giving more money to poorer students, but in reality it is taking it straight back through soaring fees.

By contrast, we will restore free higher education and provide grants for poorer students.

BEC Conference

I recently attended the Billericay Education Community (BEC) Conference which was held in the Towngate Theatre, Basildon. BEC is a network learning community comprising 15 local schools, and this conference was their first joint venture in staff training.

Having visited the various workshops and spoken with teachers and learning support staff, feedback was very positive. The excellent speakers helped to ensure it was a great success, and congratulations go to all those who both helped organise the conference and who took part.

‘Step by Step’

Good pre-schools are much needed which is why it gave me great pleasure recently to officially open the ‘Step by Step’ co-operative pre-school in Billericay Baptist Church, Perry Street.

The old pre-school was closed in July due to the owners’ poor health. Because of demand from local parents, a group of former employees decided to set up ‘Step by Step’, and the team who put this new venture together, and the committee members and staff, deserve our thanks for providing this service for the local community.

Thanks

Following my recent car accident and injuries, I would like to thank all of you who sent me kind wishes – they were much appreciated.