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Scottish student borrowing soars by 69% to record levels Scottish student borrowing soars by 69% to record levels
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Scottish students are being forced to take out record levels of debt after the Scottish government cut the grants they could claim by 40%.Scottish students are being forced to take out record levels of debt after the Scottish government cut the grants they could claim by 40%.
Official figures show total student borrowing jumped by 69% for the last academic year up to £430m, the highest level ever, as Scottish ministers championed their policy of providing free university tuition.Official figures show total student borrowing jumped by 69% for the last academic year up to £430m, the highest level ever, as Scottish ministers championed their policy of providing free university tuition.
The heaviest burden is being carried by the poorest students after ministers cut overall spending on grants for living costs from £53m to £36m last year, and introduced far less generous funding bands which penalised low income applications. The heaviest burden is being carried by the poorest students after ministers cut overall spending on grants for living costs from £89.4m to £53m last year, and introduced far less generous funding bands which penalised low income applications.
The average loans taken out by students from the lowest income families averaged out at £5,610 a year, compared to £4,340 for students from better off homes, said Lucy Blackburn Hunter, a former civil servant who specialises in higher education policy.The average loans taken out by students from the lowest income families averaged out at £5,610 a year, compared to £4,340 for students from better off homes, said Lucy Blackburn Hunter, a former civil servant who specialises in higher education policy.
Blackburn Hunter said that the cumulative impact of those policies meant that Scottish students doing a typical four year Scottish university course would end up owing more than £20,000, while the poorest faced the heaviest debts.Blackburn Hunter said that the cumulative impact of those policies meant that Scottish students doing a typical four year Scottish university course would end up owing more than £20,000, while the poorest faced the heaviest debts.
The average debt per student was £5,020, while the cuts in grant funding would continue for the foreseeable future.The average debt per student was £5,020, while the cuts in grant funding would continue for the foreseeable future.
“These are startling figures, and as a nation we shouldn’t be in the least bit proud of these,” she said. “Surely we’ve reached the point now where we take the debate about students grants as seriously as the debate about fees and free tuition.“These are startling figures, and as a nation we shouldn’t be in the least bit proud of these,” she said. “Surely we’ve reached the point now where we take the debate about students grants as seriously as the debate about fees and free tuition.
“The whole issue of what grants are available and how they have diminished hasn’t been aired nearly as well enough.”“The whole issue of what grants are available and how they have diminished hasn’t been aired nearly as well enough.”
The latest figures show the total debts taken out for day-to-day living costs had risen from the £409m figure published by the Student Loan Company earlier this year, up by 64% on the previous year.The latest figures show the total debts taken out for day-to-day living costs had risen from the £409m figure published by the Student Loan Company earlier this year, up by 64% on the previous year.
Last week, the Scottish governments’ cuts in support for poor students was attacked by the UK government’s social mobility and child poverty commission chaired by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn.Last week, the Scottish governments’ cuts in support for poor students was attacked by the UK government’s social mobility and child poverty commission chaired by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn.
While sharply critical of policy in England, the commission’s State of the Nation report recommended Holyrood ministers’ “review the total financial support package for the most disadvantaged undergraduate and postgraduate students, particularly in relation to recent reductions in maintenance grants.”While sharply critical of policy in England, the commission’s State of the Nation report recommended Holyrood ministers’ “review the total financial support package for the most disadvantaged undergraduate and postgraduate students, particularly in relation to recent reductions in maintenance grants.”
European data last week also showed that Scotland has the least generous student grants of any comparable west European country, including other parts of the UK. Only Greece, Turkey and most of eastern Europe have lower state grants, while Iceland is alone in offering no grants at all.European data last week also showed that Scotland has the least generous student grants of any comparable west European country, including other parts of the UK. Only Greece, Turkey and most of eastern Europe have lower state grants, while Iceland is alone in offering no grants at all.
Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Labour’s education spokeswoman at Holyrood, said the latest figures reinforced the need for a far greater debate on education policy. There were doubts whether current policy passed the fairness test, she said.Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Labour’s education spokeswoman at Holyrood, said the latest figures reinforced the need for a far greater debate on education policy. There were doubts whether current policy passed the fairness test, she said.
“The SNP will point to their free tuition fees, but when we are in the position where Scotland is worst for the poorest students, worst for widening access and has the worst drop out rates in the UK, we need to look at different options if we’re going to maintain free tuition. It has to pass the fairness test,” she said.“The SNP will point to their free tuition fees, but when we are in the position where Scotland is worst for the poorest students, worst for widening access and has the worst drop out rates in the UK, we need to look at different options if we’re going to maintain free tuition. It has to pass the fairness test,” she said.
“I can’t support free university tuition while all that is going on.”“I can’t support free university tuition while all that is going on.”
Mike Russell, the Scottish education secretary, insisted that the overall funding package gave Scottish students a very generous overall package, and a minimum income of £7,500 a year, through increased loans. Using loans allowed his government to protect free tuition.Mike Russell, the Scottish education secretary, insisted that the overall funding package gave Scottish students a very generous overall package, and a minimum income of £7,500 a year, through increased loans. Using loans allowed his government to protect free tuition.
“It is reassuring to see that by continuing to protect students from paying fees we are encouraging increased participation in higher education at our universities,” he said.“It is reassuring to see that by continuing to protect students from paying fees we are encouraging increased participation in higher education at our universities,” he said.
“I am also pleased to see that the gap between the number of students coming from our most and least deprived communities has narrowed over the last six years, but there is no room for complacency and we remain committed to making higher education attainable for those from more deprived backgrounds and communities.”“I am also pleased to see that the gap between the number of students coming from our most and least deprived communities has narrowed over the last six years, but there is no room for complacency and we remain committed to making higher education attainable for those from more deprived backgrounds and communities.”
• This article was amended on 29 October 2014 to correct the figures for grants for living costs.