The Chancellor made the announcement in his final pre-Budget report before the general election.
NUS President Wes Streeting said:
“We are delighted that the Government has adopted our proposals to provide financial support for poorer students so that they can carry out internships and improve their job prospects after graduation.
“Students are graduating with record levels of debt, and the current shortage of graduate jobs is making it particularly difficult for those who cannot rely on their family to support them when they leave university.”
NUS also welcomed the Government’s announcement that a guarantee for all 16 or 17 year olds to receive education or training will be extended for a further year. It was previously planned that the guarantee would last for only one year. Under 24-year-olds will also be guaranteed training or employment after six months out of work, rather than the current twelve months.
Wes Streeting added:
“There is an abundance of evidence which shows that long term unemployment leaves permanent scars, and we are pleased that the Government has responded to our repeated calls to intervene early to stop young people from rotting on the dole queue.”