Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Students: Cost of Living Support

Monday 28 November 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Paula Barker questioned the Minister about the Open University's recommendations for student support.
  • The Minister expressed admiration for the Open University and commitment to reviewing their recommendations.
  • The Minister stated that the Government is addressing student financial hardship through the 261 million student premium and increased loans and grants.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Education Economy
Context

The Office for National Statistics reported over half of students face financial difficulties, a quarter taking on extra debts. Student union reps confirmed these figures.

Question

Students must not be the forgotten victims of the cost of living crisis. Will the Minister look at the Open University's recommendations calling for extension of maintenance loans to part-time undergraduate students, an extension to parents' living allowance and childcare grant, and introduction of maintenance bursaries for those in most need?

Answer from Robert Halfon

I have great admiration for the Open University and will look at those recommendations carefully. The Government are doing everything possible to help students with financial hardship through the £261 million student premium, energy bill discounts, special hardship funds, reassessment of living costs support, and interest rates increasing in line with retail price index.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing or implementing specific recommendations from the Open University

How: Will Look At Carefully, Doing Everything Possible

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Q2 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Economy Women & Equalities
Context

A written parliamentary question asked if an equalities analysis was conducted to assess the impact of rising prices on students, especially those from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds.

Question

The Government had not done an equalities analysis. Do they know how the cost of living is affecting students from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds?

Answer from Robert Halfon

We are aware that the cost of living affects students from all backgrounds, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students can draw on the £261 million student premium and access hardship funds if needed. We have increased maximum loans and grants by 2.3% to help with financial hardships.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific data or analysis about disadvantaged students, only general statements

How: Aware Of The Impact, Increased Maximum Loans And Grants

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Q3 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Economy
Context

A previous question asked about equalities analysis of rising costs on students, with no response indicating such an analysis was done.

Question

Do the Government have any idea how rising prices are affecting students from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds?

Answer from Robert Halfon

We know that rising costs affect all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students can draw on the £261 million student premium and apply for hardship funds if their living costs increase significantly. We have increased maximum loans and grants by 2.3% to help.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific data or analysis provided about disadvantaged students, only general statements

How: Aware Of The Impact, Increased Maximum Loans And Grants

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