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More Money for Reading Students
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Martin Salter, MP for Reading West, met this week with students from Reading and other South-East Universities in Parliament to hear how they faced living expenses comparable to London but with no London-weighting – effectively meaning they live on an allowance half that of London students.
The lobby of Parliament was organised by South East Area NUS (SEANUS), supported by Mr Salter, a former Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills. Mr Salter has been a vocal advocate for a South-East weighting comparable to London and has been lobbying government on the issue since 2004 when he tabled amendments, with other South-East MPs, to the Higher Education Bill. These amendments aimed at introducing a regional weighting for students in the South-East to reflect higher housing costs. The London Weighting gives students an average living allowance of £62 a week after accommodation costs, compared to just £29 for students in Reading and the South East. This is less than the students would receive if they were claiming Job Seekers Allowance. Speaking at the lobby, Mr Salter said: “We have allowances for some NHS staff, police, teachers and local government workers which have been introduced to compensate for high housing costs in parts of our region. There is no logic in excluding students in these calculations especially when they are having a tough time paying London Prices in many parts of the region without the benefits of London Weighting.“ He added after speaking to the Reading students: “I was particularly concerned to hear that many students are now thinking of choosing Universities outside of Reading and the South-East because they are worried they will not be able to afford to live here on their allowance. "It is entirely wrong that students are being forced to choose universities in the North or London based on financial constraints and not which University offers them the best course. This is quite frankly not good enough for Reading, the University and its students. I first raised this issue over three years ago and I am very disappointed with the progress made. "I have agreed to work with student representatives from the NUS and Reading University in making direct approaches to Ministers.” One student who has changed from a South East to a midlands university said: “I was very surprised to find a significant change in living costs. My rent, for example, has dropped from £250 per month to £195 which has significantly eased the pressure in paying other bills. My travel costs have also reduced allowing me to live where I choose, allowing me to choose to live in a quiet and study friendly area.” Nick Smith, SEANUS Convenor said: “Higher Education is a vital element of a region’s development and economy. Universities bring millions of pounds, a huge range of cultural activities and an army of volunteers to towns and cities in the South East. As students become increasingly concerned about high costs they will be forced to choose cheaper costs of living in other areas, depriving the South of those benefits.” 09/02/07 |
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