8 May 2025

SDLP Young People’s Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has challenged Sinn Féin to give a firm commitment not to increase university tuition fees.

She was speaking after universities jointly called for an increase on Thursday.

East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said:

“The SDLP appreciates the financial pressures facing our universities, but we are deeply disappointed by this call to shift the burden onto our young people. The costs of a university education are already prohibitive for many. Our students are living in damp and unfit housing, working one or even two jobs and having to survive on very little money just to give themselves the best education possible.

“Adding more debt serves to extend financial struggle. Whilst higher education has traditionally been seen as the gateway to a good job, what hope is there for our young people of being able to afford a home, to have a family and access childcare, when this proposal places more costs on them before they have earned a penny?

“Sinn Féin has given clear commitments not to raise tuition fees for students in the North and the Economy Minister must live up to that promise. In the South Sinn Féin have repeatedly called for these fees to be abolished altogether and they must offer the same protections to students in the North. Previous Sinn Féin Ministers have lined up to voice their opposition to increased fees, they control the economy and finance ministries and they have the power to address this.

“It’s clear that our higher education sector needs a long-term plan that puts universities on a stable financial footing. The failure to adequately fund them is due to political failure and the Executive’s inability to make difficult decisions for the greater public good.

“I would urge Sinn Féin and the other Executive parties to make this a red line and reject this call from the universities.”