It is a fact that students now graduate, on average, £12,000 in debt. The abolition of the maintenance grant and the introduction of tuition fees have had a crippling effect on students. Thousands of students will descend on central London on 20 February 2002 to voice their anger at the government's current student finance policies. To symbolise the state of their finances NUS is calling on all students to turn out dressed in red.

" It's important that students turn-up for the Demo in large numbers and show the government their anger. "

It's now four months since the government acknowledged the failings of the current student finance system. Unbelievably, instead of relieving the burden, some of the options currently being considered will actually exacerbate the debt of thousands of students. The preferred option by the Treasury, commercial interest rate loans, would create an intolerable burden on students, with debt doubling every six years after graduation. NUS figures show that over just a ten-year period, the interest accrued at a market rate would be over £20,000. It's important that students turn-up for the Demo in large numbers and show the government their anger.

On Demo day students will march through central London along the most high profile route for generations. Following negotiations with both the police and the Greater London Authority NUS has secured a path that passes the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street, as well as a rally in Trafalgar Square – unheard of during the week.

We have so far revealed two key speakers for the event: London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the AUT's Natalie Fenton. In the countdown to 20.02.02 others will be confirmed.

The march will bring parts of London to a standstill and leave politicians and the public in no doubt at the contempt with which students regard the government’s current funding policies.

[Amen!!! - Ed]

The Editor speaks...
"I say go for it - when will the next opportunity come around where you'll have a free trip to the centre of the evil empire, to voice your complaints about the amount of debt you'll be in after Varsity? And... If not for that singular reason - the whole damn thing is going to be on TV... Sweet!!!"

Read what the NUS President has to say :: Click Here ::

Now - If you want to go.... Tell Us
We're organising busses to take us down