Universities UK response to the latest findings from The Sutton Trust report on the student maintenance system

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE, FRSE, President of Universities UK and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews said:

“This report is a helpful contribution to the policy debate and highlights the urgency of addressing the inadequate maintenance package which disproportionately impacts students from low-income families. Without action, we run the risk of deterring disadvantaged students from attending university due to financial pressures.

Responding to the rising costs of utility bills, rent and food, universities have stepped up efforts to alleviate financial pressures during the cost-of-living crisis. However, it’s imperative that the maintenance support package in England is reviewed to reflect recent rates of inflation. The below inflation maintenance uplift of 2.5% for 2024/25 means that students receiving the maximum maintenance package are around £1,900 per year worse off than they would have been if correct inflation measures were used over the last four years.

We want to prioritise reinstating maintenance grants for those who need them most and to uprate maintenance loans to reflect real rates of inflation and changes to household incomes to ensure future students have the same opportunities as those of the last decade”.