A charity calls for the reinstatement of financial support to ensure fairness in higher education

A new survey has revealed that the majority of the British public is in favour of reinstating maintenance grants for university students from low-income backgrounds. The poll, conducted by the Sutton Trust charity, shows that 53% of respondents support the reintroduction of grants to help the most disadvantaged students cover living costs while attending university.

The survey, which questioned over 2,000 adults across England, Scotland, and Wales, highlights a strong public consensus on the need for financial support for students from lower-income families, with 87% of participants agreeing that such assistance is necessary. The Sutton Trust has been advocating for the return of maintenance grants, which were replaced by loans in 2016. These loans must be repaid, placing an additional financial burden on graduates, particularly those from poorer backgrounds.

The charity argues that reintroducing maintenance grants would help make the system fairer and remove barriers to access for students who graduate with high levels of debt. They also noted that the value of student maintenance has not kept pace with inflation, meaning that many students struggle to cover the rising cost of living with the maximum loan available.

Sir Peter Lampl, the founder of the Sutton Trust, said: “The public clearly wants this to change. The next government must act to make it happen, or risk deepening the divide between the wealthy and disadvantaged.”

Alongside the survey, the Sutton Trust published a report calling for broader policy reforms to tackle the disparity in opportunities. The report urges the government to focus on improving access to early years education, closing the attainment gap in schools, and boosting financial support for students, particularly those from low-income households.

The survey also explored other issues related to social mobility, with 83% of respondents acknowledging the widening gap between social classes in Britain. The majority also believed that children from wealthier families have better opportunities in education and employment.

The findings of the survey underscore the public’s growing concern about social inequality and the barriers faced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Sutton Trust argues that reintroducing maintenance grants would be a crucial step towards addressing these inequalities and ensuring that all students, regardless of their socio-economic status, have the opportunity to succeed.

The charity’s report calls on the next government to take bold action to improve opportunities for young people and reverse the trend of declining social mobility in the UK.