Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide further support to care leavers attending university.

All eligible care leavers, regardless of age or personal circumstances, who are attending undergraduate higher education courses in the 2026/27 academic year, will be eligible for the maximum loan for living costs, removing key barriers to accessing education.

This reform is central to the government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring, that everyone, regardless of their background, has the chance to get on in life.

Supporting disadvantaged and underrepresented students in higher education remains a key government priority. To this end, through the Strategic Priorities Grant £253 million has been allocated to eligible providers in the current academic year 2025/26 to support successful student outcomes: full-time and part-time; the disabled students ’premium; and mental health premium.