"Labour is to bring back maintenance grants for tens of thousands of students from low-income backgrounds who sign up to priority courses that support the government's industrial strategy. The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said the means-tested grants were aimed at those who need them most and would be funded by a new international student levy, as outlined in a recent immigration white paper. Making the announcement at the Labour party conference, Phillipson said:"
"There are also concerns among vice-chancellors about the proposed 6% international student levy that will pay for the grants. Recent research suggested the levy could cost universities in England more than 600m a year. The government said the maintenance grants would be available to students in levels four to six, studying priority courses including university degrees and technical qualifications. Further details will be set out in the autumn statement."
Labour will reintroduce means-tested maintenance grants for tens of thousands of low-income students who enroll on priority courses aligned with the government's industrial strategy. Grants will target students at levels four to six, covering university degrees and technical qualifications. Funding is planned to come from a proposed 6% international student levy. Research indicates the levy could cost universities in England more than 600m a year, prompting concern from vice-chancellors. Some unions criticised using international students' fees to fund grants and called for greater public investment, while other organisations welcomed reduced debt barriers for the poorest students. Further details will be provided in the autumn statement.
#maintenance-grants #international-student-levy #higher-education-policy #access-and-social-mobility
Read at www.theguardian.com
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