Lib Dems call on government to reverse university cuts (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

Lib Dems call on government to reverse university cuts

February 17, 2010 3:55 PM

Ian Nimmo-Smith

Cambridge Liberal Democrats are calling on government ministers to reverse crippling cuts in funding to the city's universities claiming they will have a serious impact not only on jobs but on the wider economy.

Members will also call on local MPs and parliamentary candidates to defend the economy from the impact of the government's grant cuts both in Cambridge and nationally

And they will urge their colleagues on the city council to back their call at a full council meeting on Thursday (February 25).

A motion going before the council says it recognises that local economic development is critically dependent on the higher education sector and believes that the government cuts will have a serious impact.

It also calls on the Greater Cambridge Partnership to monitor the impact of the cuts on the wider regional economy.

Cambridge City Council leader, Ian Nimmo-Smith said: "These cuts in university budgets will not only have a devastating effect on higher education but also on Cambridge's overall job market and economic stability.

"It is crucial that we do everything we can to try to reverse this decision by the government."

Julian Huppert, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate said: "These cuts make little sense when the recession is hitting our young people particularly hard.

"The government is stripping cash from our universities at a time when America and Europe are investing in education and research. This is an ill-thought out decision which will have serious repercussions for our economy for years to come."