Only the SNP can be trusted to protect free tuition, as a debate rages on tuition fee hikes south of the border.
Universities in England have called for tuition fees to increase at the same rate as inflation.
Tuition fees for students in England are already £9,250 per year and this proposal could see them rise as high as £13,000.
The move comes after Michael Marra, Scottish Labour’s finance spokesperson, hinted earlier this year that the Labour party would examine models to reintroduce some form of charges in Scotland.
In government in Wales, Labour recently lifted the cap on tuition fees to £9250
The SNP abolished tuition fees in 2007, Student Loans Company (SLC) data shows students leave university with the lowest levels of debt in the UK and an average of £31,790 less debt than students in England.
Figures released earlier in the summer show that a staggering 1.8million people in England and Wales are in at least £50,000 of student debt.
Commenting, SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed said:
“The prospect of further tuition fee hikes in England will be severely troubling to students south of the border.
“After introducing backdoor tuition fees in Scotland when they were in office, and increasing fees in Wales, the pattern is clear – when Labour are in government tuition fees go up.
“In contrast the SNP is unequivocal – under no circumstances will tuition fees be imposed on Scottish students, and it is increasingly obvious that only the SNP can be trusted to protect free tuition.
“A record number of students being accepted for university and particularly the rise in students from our most disadvantaged communities shows the excellent progress the SNP is making in widening access to higher education.
“This progress has only been made possible due to our continued commitment to free tuition fees which would be put at risk by both Labour and the Tories who are only interested in plunging students into deeper levels of debt.
“The SNP is resolutely committed to ensuring that access to university will always be based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay and that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone.
“It’s time Labour found some principles of their own, followed the SNP’s lead and abolished tuition fees south of the border.”
