Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on students of the 2.3% rise in maintenance loans in the context of rising levels of inflation.

Decisions on student support are taken on an annual basis.

The government recognises the additional cost of living pressures that have arisen and impacted students this year. Many higher education providers have hardship funds that students can apply to for assistance.

There is £261 million of student premium funding available this academic year to support disadvantaged students who need additional help.

The department has continued to increase living costs support with a 2.3% increase for maximum loans, grants for living, and other costs for the 2022/23 academic year. Students who have been awarded a loan for living costs for the 2022/23 academic year that is lower than the maximum, and whose household income for the 2022/23 financial year has dropped by at least 15% compared to the income provided for their original assessment, can apply for their entitlement to be reassessed.