I STRONGLY believe that access to higher education should be free and that no one should be denied access to learning because they cannot afford it.

The government's proposals, as outlined in the recent Queens speech to introduce selective top up fees for higher education, is both unfair and inefficient. The argument that a higher education should be paid for as a privilege is wrong, our graduates already pay on average more back to the treasury.

If implemented as proposed this Bill will widen the social divide and makes it less likely that students from poorer backgrounds will access Britain's top universities.

If our universities need more funding then direct investment by the taxpayer would be a much more efficient way of getting money to our universities.

I strongly urge anyone reading this letter who disagrees with the top up fees proposal to a) write to your MP and let them know your views.

This is very easy to do these days using the Internet at www.faxyourmp.com and b) to sign the online petition against tuition fees and top up fees at www.scraptuitionfees.com. Everyone can sign. You don't have to be a student; you just need to be against this government's proposals.

P Dove

Monks Park

Milbourne

Malmesbury