Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan has backed Labour’s plans to introduce new targeted means-tested maintenance grants by the end of this Parliament.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the policy as part of Labour’s plans to spread opportunity to young people across the country, supporting students from the lowest income households to excel in higher education.
The maintenance grants will support tens of thousands of students from level 4 – 6 studying priority courses that support the Labour government’s missions and industrial strategy.
The grants will provide young working-class people with crucial targeted additional financial support to undertake both university degrees and technical qualifications under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, including Certificates of Higher Education (CertHEs), Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHEs), technical qualifications and degrees.
The new maintenance grants will be fully funded by a new International Student Levy, ensuring that revenue from international students is used to benefit working class domestic students, expanding access, driving growth and unlocking opportunity.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“Access to our colleges and universities shouldn’t just be for a wealthy few.
“The Tories scrapped the grants and kicked away the ladder from working class kids across Portsmouth – I know from speaking to local families, it’s discouraged so many from carrying on their studies.
“That stops now – Labour is ambitious for all our young people, no matter their background.”
Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Education Secretary, said:
“Tories treated our universities as a political battleground, not a public good. Labour is putting them back in the service of working-class young people.
“Last year, I took the decisive steps we needed on university finances, so opportunity is there tomorrow, for all who want it.
“Today that’s why I am announcing, that this Labour government will introduce new targeted maintenance grants for students who need them most.
“Their time at college or university, should be spent learning or training, not working every hour God sends.
“So we will begin to bring them back. That is the difference a Labour government makes.”
Further details on maintenance grants and the International Student Levy will be set out in the Autumn Statement.
