We did it! Liverpool MP opposes maintenance grant cuts
Last Friday (18th September), we met with Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside, to encourage her to oppose to cuts to the maintenance grant as part of the National Union of Students (NUS) #CutTheCosts campaign.
The Chancellor, George Osborne, announced in July that the government plan to turn the maintenance grant into a repayable loan for all new students starting in 2016. We are pleased to say that Louise supports us in our campaign to cut the extra costs this would create for students.
Currently, the grant – up to £3,387 per year – helps with living costs for students from families who have an annual income of £25,000 or less (a huge 30% of University of Liverpool students receive it every year). If it becomes a loan, this will mean students in the most financial difficulty will graduate with debts of up to £53,000 for a typical three year degree – an increase of £12,500 and even more debt than those students who are in a better financial position.
With Louise Ellman MP now on board with the campaign, along with countless other MPs from across the political spectrum, we are hoping to put pressure on the government to reverse the changes. As next steps, we will be writing to the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, and asking for his support in opposing the changes which will have a disproportionate effect on a city like Liverpool, with so many students in receipt of the maintenance grant.
If you want to find out more, or have a story about the impact the maintenance grant has had on your time at University, get in touch with Harry Anderson, Guild President.
