A group of Bradford College students confronted two Bradford MPs over the proposed sell off of the student loan book yesterday.

Gerry Sutcliffe and David Ward were at the college to visit its under-construction Hockney Campus when students greeted them with placards explaining why the loans system should not be privatised.

The students have collected over 300 posters, each individually signed by students and explaining why loans should not be privatised.

They spoke to the MPs to hear their views. Although Mr Ward (Lib Dem) is in favour of the privatisation, Mr Sutcliffe (Labour) is opposed to it.

Piers Telemacque, chairman of the college student Union, said: “The sell-off of student loans is just the latest major assault on education, following the tripling of tuition fees, the scrapping of Education Maintenance Allowance and an austerity agenda which is hitting the living standards of students hard, especially through rising rents.

“Students at Bradford college are already likely to face more financial barriers that would mean the long term impacts of this sale would have massive long lasting effects on our students.”