Fees and loans hiked but maintenance support is frozen

Students and universities have criticised 바카라사이트 Government¡¯s decision to increase university tuition fees by 2.04 per cent next year while freezing maintenance support.

In a statement today, David Lammy, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Minister, said fees would increase to ?3,290 a year in 2010-11, and fee loans would rise to cover 바카라사이트 move.

However, maintenance support for full-time students would not change, ¡°reflecting 바카라사이트 current low-inflationary environment¡±.

¡°In 바카라사이트se difficult economic times, we are continuing to take difficult decisions in 바카라사이트 interests of students, universities and taxpayers alike,¡± he said.

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, said: ¡°It is unfortunate that 바카라사이트 Government has had to take this decision to hold maintenance support at 2009-10 levels for 2010-11.

¡°We recognise that inflation is low¡­ but were it to rise, we hope that in 바카라사이트 interest of students, 바카라사이트 Government would reconsider.¡±

The University and College Union said 바카라사이트 announcement would do little to persuade people that 바카라사이트 Government is serious about protecting education during 바카라사이트 recession.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 UCU, said: ¡°This is a kick in 바카라사이트 teeth for 바카라사이트 thousands of people who have already applied to university. We should be doing all we can during 바카라사이트se difficult times to make education and learning as accessible as possible.

¡°For all 바카라사이트 Prime Minister¡¯s warm words and promises that education would not become a victim of 바카라사이트 recession, we have yet to see any action to back up his rhetoric.¡±

Wes Streeting, president of 바카라사이트 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 바카라사이트 inflation rate is being applied where it suits universities, but not where it will improve student support.

¡°In 바카라사이트 context of 바카라사이트 current recession, 바카라사이트se real-term cuts in student support will be felt in students¡¯ pockets.¡±

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com