A PRESSURE group to lobby Education, Sport and Culture has been formed by parents who are having to find thousands more pounds to meet their children’s university fees.

Last month Education Minister Mike Vibert announced the department’s intention to impose a top-up fee across the board on all parents from September in response to the UK government’s increase in course fees.

Concerned parents have now got together to try to persuade Education to put their plans on hold and to subject the whole issue of student grants to a review.

They have scored an initial success and won support from States Members because the matter will be discussed by the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

Group spokesman Dr Nigel Minihane , whose eldest daughter is planning to study medicine, said he was willing to chair a public meeting, sharing a platform with Senator Vibert.

‘We believe that the undue haste with which these proposals have been brought about has not allowed for fair and open discussion of the alternatives available to finance the necessary further education of the Island’s children,’ Dr Minihane said.