Labour’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has revealed plans to reinstate means-tested grants for the most financially disadvantaged university students. Phillipson emphasized the importance of making higher education accessible to all, not just the affluent few, promising swift action within the current Parliament term. The previous Conservative government had eliminated university maintenance grants in 2016, replacing them with loans, a decision criticized by Labour for hindering opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds.
During Labour’s recent annual conference, Phillipson condemned the Tories for politicizing universities and pledged to prioritize working-class youth in higher education. She reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for all students, particularly those facing financial challenges. The reintroduced maintenance grants will target students pursuing essential courses at levels four to six, from certificate programs to undergraduate degrees.
Funding for these grants will be sourced from a new levy on international students attending English higher education institutions. Further details regarding this initiative will be disclosed in the upcoming Budget announcement. The move has drawn mixed reactions, with the University College Union (UCU) expressing concerns about burdening international students to support domestic grants, while the Social Market Foundation welcomed the effort to assist underprivileged students in affording their education, emphasizing the importance of social mobility.
The announcement reflects Labour’s commitment to addressing financial barriers to education and promoting inclusivity in higher learning.