Election 2017: Labour to write off tuition fees for students starting university this September

Those part way through their degree would pay no further fees for the remainder of the course

Labour has pledged to scrap tuition fees for students starting university in September.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the Conservatives of having “held students back for too long” by helping to treble tuition fees to more than £9,000 a year, claiming Labour wants to “lift this cloud of debt” by making it free for people to study at university in England.

The party said it would abolish fees from 2018 and write off the first year of fees for those planning to start university this September.

Those part way through their degree would pay no further fees for the remainder of the course.

Labour estimated its policy to scrap tuition fees could benefit around 400,000 students from this autumn if numbers remain unchanged.

The party added it would seek to provide free tuition for EU students and would seek reciprocal arrangements at EU universities as part of Brexit talks.

Labour is seeking to tap into the student vote, including those 18-year-olds sitting their A-levels and about to start university, as it bids to secure power at the general election.

Anyone hoping to have their say at the ballot box on 8 June must apply to register to vote by 11.59pm on Monday.

Electoral Commission data shows more than two million people have applied to register to vote since Prime Minister Theresa May announced her intention to call a snap election.

Mr Corbyn said: “We will scrap tuition fees and ensure universities have the resources they need to continue to provide a world-class education.

“Students will benefit from having more money in their pockets, and we will all benefit from the engineers, doctors, teachers and scientists that our universities produce.”

Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner added: “If students sitting their A-levels now want a say on their future they need to register to vote before tonight's deadline and vote Labour on 8 June.”

A Conservative spokesman said: “Only by getting Brexit right will we be able to help young people get on in life and make the most of their talents."

He added: “There are now more students from disadvantaged backgrounds getting into university than ever before.

"But if Jeremy Corbyn is in charge of our Brexit negotiations, all of this will be under threat."