Parliament debated Government plans to replace bursaries this afternoon, with a Labour motion calling for it to reverse its decision to abolish the remaining non-repayable grants to help cover living costs.
The Government claims the changes will mean increased support for students, but opposition parties believe it has not done enough to consider the impact on low-income families.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Labour MP Wes Streeting said “It doesn’t have to be this way – there are other choices. Look at what the Labour government in Wales has done. They’ve kept student grants in place.”
Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland said “we will settle for nothing less than a proper debate and vote in the House”. The SNP’s Tommy Sheppard suggested “Those who have climbed that ladder of opportunity themselves have decided to kick it away – it is a disgrace.”
Meanwhile, students outside Parliament staged a sit-in on Westminster Bridge, blocking traffic and chanting slogans such as “No grants, no bridge” and “If you force us into debt, this is what you’re gonna get”.
Protesters were addressed by Labour frontbencher Clive Lewis, who pledged his support, while Green MP Caroline Lucas was among those to meet NUS full-time officers.