Universities respond to the mini-budget announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Over recent weeks we have repeatedly asked government to ensure that students are not overlooked in government measures to deal with the cost of living crisis. Tax cuts for high-earners will not benefit students struggling to manage their costs this autumn. These students include our next generation of teachers, nurses, scientists and engineers and we can’t afford to see them drop out because they can’t make ends meet.

This was not addressed in today’s budget.  Universities are doing all they can, but we need the government to come back to this issue urgently with some solutions, by working with universities to boost hardship funds and increase maintenance support.