Our Education Officer, Shaban Chaudhary and President, Goksu Danaci, have been working to ensure your needs are reflected in national policy discussions. We’ve contributed to the Russell Group Students’ Unions (RGSU) submission, which represents over 700,000 students across the UK, calling for urgent action to support students and secure the future of higher education.
The Spending Review is a crucial moment when the Government sets out its funding priorities, including those that shape the future of higher education. With students facing rising living costs, inadequate financial support, and growing barriers to international study, it’s more important than ever to make sure student voices are heard.
Read more about our submission here.
What Are We Calling For?
We’re urging the Government to use the 2025 Spending Review to:
Support home students by increasing maintenance loans in line with inflation and reintroducing maintenance grants. Student loan repayment thresholds should also be raised to create a fairer and more progressive repayment system.
Improve support for international students, including reducing visa and NHS surcharge fees, allowing visa fees to be paid in instalments, and extending Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) support.
Improve support for all students, including making the childcare grant available for postgraduates, increasing UKRI PhD stipends in line with the Real Living Wage, and expanding places for medical and healthcare students to meet NHS workforce needs.
Improve student wellbeing by securing long-term funding for university and Students’ Union mental health services, helping to reduce strain on the NHS.
"The government must prioritise students in the 2025 Spending Review. For too long, students have been overlooked, and urgent action is needed to address the huge reform needed across education with funding being allocated as a priority. The following actions urging the Government seek to address this"
Goksu Danaci, Students' Union President
What's next?
The submission will be seen by officials within HM Treasury and they will decide whether to include any of our recommendations within the Spring Budget. We will continue to campaign for the rights of students and ensure your voices are heard.