STUDENTS across Merseyside united and took to the streets in a London bus yesterday to protest against university top-up fees.

They toured schools, colleges and supermarkets as part of a national “Day of Action” called by the National Union of Students, for the Government to abolish the fees.

Many students already pay £3,000 per-year in fees, leaving university with £20,000 of debt.

The protest follows the govern-ment announcement last week that grants for new 2009 students of middle-income families will be cut.

Liverpool Guild of Students, John Moores University (JMU) and Hope University’s Students Union Presidents, said: “This re-cent cut highlights the problem with higher education funding.

“It is great to see more people from lower income families going to university, however, unless the flaws in the funding system are addressed, the worst effects will be felt most by those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

“It is an issue that will have a big impact on the future of many young people in Liverpool and we want to ensure students and the wider community are brought into the debate on any changes.”

More than 2,000 postcards against the top-up fees were signed and these will be sent to local MPs to commit them to call for an open and honest debate on fees.

Chris Redwood, vice-chair of JMU student union, said: “There are 65,000 students in Liverpool and they contribute £250m to the city’s economy. This is why coun-cillors have come on board and we are working with them on the fees issue and graduate retention across Merseyside.”

Cllr Keith Turner, Liverpool’s executive member for education, skills and employment said: “The Government failed to listen, and now it’s the students who are feeling the effects.”

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