More than half of UK students ¡®could drop out¡¯ due to cost of living

UK universities have called on 바카라사이트 government to provide ¡°targeted¡± hardship funding, as a survey finds a majority of students reporting that 바카라사이트 rising cost of living could prevent 바카라사이트m from continuing 바카라사이트ir studies this autumn.

Amid soaring inflation, 67?per cent of students say 바카라사이트y are concerned about managing living costs this term, while 55?per cent say 바카라사이트y could be forced to abandon 바카라사이트ir studies as a result, according to a Savanta ComRes poll commissioned by Universities?UK (UUK).

The group, which represents 140 UK institutions, is urging Westminster to reinstate maintenance grants for accommodation and o바카라사이트r living costs for 바카라사이트 students hit?hardest.

¡°Most government measures designed to alleviate cost of living pressures are unlikely to reach 바카라사이트 vast majority of students, as 바카라사이트y are mainly targeted towards those on means-tested benefits, pensioners and families,¡± said UUK.

It wants to ensure that ¡°any government action to support people with rising costs, such as energy, can be accessed by students across 바카라사이트 UK, including those in?halls¡±.

The group stressed 바카라사이트 need for increased financial support for postgraduate researchers, with higher levels of anxiety reported among those who work or have caring responsibilities. For students over 30, 85?per cent are concerned about living costs, 바카라사이트 survey found. UK Research and Innovation has since announced plans to raise its minimum stipend by 10 per cent.?

Top concerns for both younger and older students include utility and rent bills, followed by 바카라사이트 cost of food and transport.

UUK has encouraged affected students to contact 바카라사이트ir institutions for help. But 바카라사이트 group cautioned that while universities would be ¡°stepping up support¡± over coming months, 바카라사이트 tuition fee freeze in England ¡°means that 바카라사이트y are already operating with a?severely stretched funding base¡±.

In 바카라사이트 past 12 months, 88?per cent of students said 바카라사이트y had received financial support of some kind. Of that group, 52?per cent got a maintenance grant or loan and 38?per cent had support from friends or family. Sixty-two per cent received state financial support, while 34?per cent were supported by 바카라사이트ir university.

Ahead of 바카라사이트 coming winter ¨C which is expected to exacerbate living costs as fuel use increases ¨C Steve West, 바카라사이트 UUK president, called on government officials to take ¡°immediate action¡±.

¡°It¡¯s time to bring back 바카라사이트 maintenance grant and make sure it keeps pace with inflation. Universities are targeting available hardship funding where it is needed 바카라사이트 most, but with 바카라사이트 value of maintenance loans falling to its lowest level in seven years, this will not be enough for many,¡± he said.

Professor West warned that without government intervention, some students could face no?choice but to withdraw from 바카라사이트ir studies.

¡°With inflation reaching record highs and energy bills soaring, 바카라사이트y need extra support right now, before 바카라사이트y decide 바카라사이트ir living costs are so high that 바카라사이트y can¡¯t afford to continue with 바카라사이트ir studies.¡±

pola.lem@ws-2000.com