Lib Dem Victory as Government Minds the Gap Year

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Jun 2004

Commenting on the Government's U-turn on gap years on the final day of the Higher Education Bill in the Commons, Don said:

"We are delighted that the Government has finally accepted our argument that a failure to provide a fees concession for those wanting to take a gap year in 2005 would have been deeply damaging to students, gap year organisations and universities.

"Many students from less-traditional backgrounds would have been pushed out because of the scramble for university places in that one year.

"Just two weeks ago the Government was denying there was any need for a concession. But since then a Liberal Democrats survey of sixth formers across the country revealed that there was a very real problem, so it is good that the Government has changed its mind - this is a victory for commonsense!

"I would urge all students considering a gap year in 2005 to attend the Gap Year Fair at Prior Park College next Tuesday."