Members of the Leeds University Union Student Exec have asked Leeds Council for its support in joining students in their battle against the government's proposed increase to tuition fees.
Rachel Wenstone, communications and internal affairs officer at LUU, delivered a five-minute deputation to yesterday's full council, speaking on behalf of over 100,000 students who "are all united" against the "damage" that the higher fees will bring to Leeds.
The students' deputation was one of four given to the council, and received warm support from the governing body. Members of the council cheered during Wenstone's speech, and one councillor said: "You can rely on the support from this side of the table."
Wenstone said the education cuts will create a two-tier system that will lead to the destruction of newer, teaching-based institutions like Leeds Met.
She suggested that the trebling of fees will lead to a dramatic reduction in numbers of students both applying for higher education in Leeds, and moving to the city itself.
Concerns were raised about the impact fewer students will have on the local economy. She drew attention to the responsibility that students have for 17,600 full-time-equivalent jobs and £1.3 billion of output, which would be affected if less students came to Leeds.
She reported students' dissatisfaction with the current government, suggesting that the cuts represent its failure to "appreciate the value of Higher education" and that they were abdicating from their responsibility to help develop an educated and developed future generation.
'This is a Leeds-wide issue, not just for students'
After the speech, Wenstone said:
"I think it's fantastic that we have received such an incredible amount of support from Leeds council, but it's absolutely imperative that the wider Leeds community recognise this as a Leeds-wide issue, and not only the issue of students.
"We have to unite across Leeds to campaign for the future of our brothers and sisters."
The student committee also consisted of Paul Gold, community officer at LUU, Liam Challenger, Leeds Met president, Jo Johnson, Leeds Met associate oresident and Lana Johnson, Leeds College of Art president.
Paul Gold said: "As representatives of the city of Leeds, the support of the council symbolises that Leeds stands with its students."
The council's executive board will discuss the students' deputation and the possible changes to council policy at their next meeting on Wednesday 15 December.
Student Hermione Wright is a reporter for the Leeds Student weekly newspaper.
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