MINISTERS’ plans to freeze grants and increase tuition fees next year are a “real kick in the teeth” for students, union leaders said.
Universities minister David Lammy was urged to reconsider the new student support rules which will see maintenance grants and loans frozen at 2009 levels, and tuition fees rise 2.04% from £3,145 a year to £3,290 a year. In a written ministerial statement, Mr Lammy said “difficult decisions” had to be made in the current economic climate that were in the best interests of students, universities and taxpayers.
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students said: “Students are already racking up thousands of pounds of debt, and in a recession every penny counts. It appears that the inflation rate is being applied where it suits universities, but not where it will support students.”
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: “We should be doing all we can during these difficult times to make education and learning as accessible as possible.”
