But the University and College Union, which represents lecturers and other staff, said raising tuition fees and scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance would counteract any attempt to improve social mobility.

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Too many college students here at the University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere are worrying about the rising cost of their tuition, and the increasing accumulation of debt.

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He may also have been capitalising on public support for his stand against the university and college students who for the past six months have been protesting against an increase in tuition fees.

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