NUS claims grant rise falls short

Student fees, grants and loans will increase by 2.5 per cent - in line with inflation - in the next academic year. Maximum fees will rise from Pounds 1,000 to Pounds 1,025 and loans, which will replace grants for all new students, will be Pounds 4,480 in London and Pounds 3,635 elsewhere. This compares with the present combined maximum grant and loan of Pounds 4,370 (Pounds 3,545). The National Union of Students has criticised the loan increases as too small because it predicts student rents will rise by nearly 5 per cent next year.