STUDENTS in Finchley gave politicians a grilling last week over policies most likely to affect them in the next few years.

About 75 teenagers, from St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, in Nether Street, were introduced to an MP, an MEP, a councillor and political assistants during the event on Friday.

Questions ranged from how to get into politics to specific concerns about the impact of spending cuts on services in the community.

Conservative Hendon MP, Matthew Offord, was also repeatedly called to defend the coalition Government's plans to increase tuition fees in England to £9,000 a year.

He echoed the two Party's stance that the change would be “fairer” for more students and claimed more people would value the course they were studying.

He said: “Over a lifetime students who go to University will earn a substantial amount more money than those who don't, and will be paying the money back.

“They are likely to be in a better position before they reach the £21,000 threshold.

“If we don't do this we will have a brain drain.”

The self proclaimed “neo-Conservative” also said he backed the Trident nuclear programme.

He said: “I believe we need Trident, we need a nuclear deterrent.

“If we don't have enough Trident submarines we will have gaps when we don't have any at sea and we will be open to attack.

“I am not convinced about America. I like us to have our own defence capability.”

The forum was organised by the Barnet Education Business Partnership to inspire youngsters and give them more of an insight into the political system.

The line up also featured Barnet deputy leader, Councillor Andrew Harper, and MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford.

Year 11 pupil, Ria Apparicio, 16, said: “I want to go into teaching MPs how to make speeches and this has helped show me what path I need to go along education wise.”

Sixth former Isabel D'Mello, 18, said of Matthew Offord: “I thought he was good. I like that he was firm in his opinions of politics.

“It has helped make us more aware of how to get into politics.”