THE Green Party pledged yesterday to cancel all student debt at the cost of £54 billion — as well as scrapping tuition fees.

Deputy leader Amelia Womack confirmed on Saturday at the Green Party conference that its general election manifesto will pledge to fund free university for undergraduates through “progressive taxation.”

She said: “This moment in our history, when our country runs the risk of being turned over to private interests and sold to the highest bidder, is no moment for half measures.

“That’s why we will always be bold in our policies and be honest about who is going to foot the bill.”

And members also voted yesterday in favour of writing-off all debt owed to the government by graduates.

The average student takes out loans worth £44,000 to pay for tuition fees and maintenance costs. Just over £54 billion is currently owed to the Treasury.

During an hour-long debate, concerns were raised over the cost of the policy, fearing the party could lose credibility.

Tower Hamlets delegate Daniel Lee said: “I don’t think it’s realistic to adopt this two months before a general election and expect people to go out and defend adding £50 billion to the national debt on the doorstep.”

Salisbury member Alison Craig also predicted it could put leader Natalie Bennett in a “dreadful position” again, following her infamous radio “mind blank.”

But Leeds North East candidate Emma Carter, who proposed the motion, pointed out that up to £18 billion is already set to be written-off.

The Sutton Trust warned last year that almost three-quarters of students will never be able to afford to pay back their loan.

And Oxford member Adam Ramsey added: “These loans are owed to the state and the state is us.

“This is money we owe to ourselves. It doesn’t cost anything at all to cancel it.”

Young members behind debt relief will significantly boost support for the Greens among current and former students.

They are pressing for it to be included in the party’s general election manifesto, which will be unveiled next month.

However, a party source told the Star that while it will be “reflected” in the manifesto, it is unlikely to be a commitment “given the timing and the sums of money involved.”
lukejames@peoples-press.com