The government have just released their Autumn budget, which details their financial plans for the next 6 months
The Government have announced increases to minimum wage from April 2026. Reacting to the announcement, Qasim Hussain, NUS Vice President Further Education said: “With 16-17 year olds in England being able to vote for the first time next year, this Government need to start delivering for young people. We welcome the increase in minimum wage, apprentice wage, and the national living wage. This progress is a testament to the tireless campaigning of apprentices and young people across the country. But while the increase brings minimum wage slightly closer to the national living wage; age-based wage discrimination remains.
“Quite simply, there is no youth discount on rent, food, or bills. We know that students and apprentices are struggling with the rising cost of living, and the Government must maintain its manifesto pledge to scrap age-based minimum wages.”
Reacting to the details of maintenance grants and the Government announcement of an international student levy of £925 per student per year of study, starting August 2028 (page 105) Alex Stanley, National Union of Students (NUS) Vice President Higher Education said: “The formalising of maintenance grants is a victory for every single student and students' union who has campaigned for this for a decade. Together, we have shifted what is possible in education funding.
“Grant funding is a welcome relief for prospective students but with these thresholds, and the limited amounts proposed, they will barely scratch the surface. Students' choice and agency should be defined by the scope of their ambition, not by the money in their pockets - and we're deeply concerned that offering grants only on certain courses will artificially limit the choice of working class students.
“And fundamentally, these grants should not be tied to the international student levy. Let’s be clear, there should be no international student levy. Currently universities are faced with a choice – absorb the levy and impose cuts to services, staff and experience for all students. Or pass on the levy to international students, making studying in the UK only an option for the world’s wealthiest and risking the collapse of the higher education sector. We know that universities are better places because of international students and want to see a country where they are invited to build their lives here.
“We need to see the introduction of maintenance grants covering all degrees and at a higher level, so that higher education is achievable for all regardless of where their passion lies. And we need to see the fundamentally-flawed plans for the international student levy scrapped.”
