Statement by TUV Lagan Valley Assembly candidate Lyle Rea:

“Northern Ireland’s students represent a rich vein of talent that can contribute to the future well being of our society.

“TUV views the proposals to increase Tuition Fees as retrograde, ill- conceived and unfair. We also appreciate the additional costs that have accrued to our Universities with more and more students going through them and therefore want to provide a balanced approach to dealing with the funding crisis.

“To that end, TUV will seek to maintain Tuition Fees at the current rate for Northern Ireland students. Scotland makes special provision for its own students,so why not Northern Ireland?

“TUV will seek to work with local Universities to ensure that students get best value and optimum utility from the courses offered locally.

“Far too many of our most able students end up leaving Northern Ireland and stopping this “brain-drain” is a key aim of our policy. We want to make sure that the brightest and most able graduates feel that Northern Ireland can meet not only their academic needs but will be a place where they choose to work after their education.

“It is important that there are jobs for our young people once they graduate. The record of the outgoing Assembly when it comes to employment is simply scandalous. Between February 2006 and February 2011 the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Lagan Valley rose by over 168%.

“It’s time to abandon the failed Belfast Agreement agenda which sees us tied ever closer to the bankrupt Republic of Ireland and instead foster links with the UK mainland, one of the world’s largest economies.”