Maintenance Grants for Students
With a new academic year in full swing, colleges and universities are once again abuzz with students. I believe that the opportunity to learn must be open to everyone across our community. Young or old, the chance to open our minds to new knowledge, learn new skills, gain qualifications, and get on in life underpins my belief in the power of education to transform life chances.
Unfortunately, for a disproportionate number of students in Stockport, that has not been the case for far too long. Across our colleges and universities, students face a difficult choice between earning and learning. With inflation soaring after former Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss crashed the economy, and housing costs climbing ever higher, the cost of studying for technical qualifications or going on to a degree has become unaffordable for many.
New surveys show that more than two-thirds of students now work during term time, with a noticeable drop in the number of hours spent on independent study. Students from less well-off families, or older learners—often with families to support—should never be forced to choose between doing their best at their studies and providing for themselves or their loved ones.
That is why I am proud that Labour’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson MP, announced this week that targeted maintenance grants will once again be available to students from low-income households studying courses that support Labour’s missions and industrial strategy—giving them the chance to focus on learning.
Critically, these grants will not only be available to those pursuing a university path, but also to disadvantaged students studying priority courses at higher levels in our colleges. For the first time, this Labour government will recognise the importance of supporting people to study Level 4 and 5 higher technical qualifications. These qualifications help fill key skills gaps in our economy and enable young people and adults to build careers in vital sectors such as healthcare and clean energy.
Our Labour government is backing people in Stockport to study courses that support both local and national industries, driving our mission to renew Britain and deliver economic growth. The promise of opportunity that a Labour government brings must be open to all. Maintenance grants are a critical step in ensuring all our students—young and old—have the freedom to choose their own path in life. Our Labour government is delivering that freedom once again.