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The government has been urged to ensure any student loan reforms include increasing maintenance funding to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis facing current students.

Students are missing meals and balancing multiple jobs because financial support provided through maintenance loans is failing to cover basic living costs, a report has warned. Any upcoming government reforms to student finance should explicitly include boosts to maintenance funding to assist students struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the report advised.

A survey from Save the Student found that nearly two-thirds of students (63%) miss meals occasionally to save money, with 9% turning to food banks during the 2025/26 academic year.

The research also revealed that more than one in four students (28%) hold at least two jobs, while almost half (46%) have considered dropping out of university altogether because of financial difficulties.

Tom Allingham, Save the Student’s student money expert, said: “Maintenance loans have always fallen short of living costs, but this has become exponentially worse in recent years. “In previous generations, that might have meant skipping one or two nights out or living on baked beans for a few days.

“Today, following significant real-terms cuts, almost two-thirds of respondents are skipping meals to save money, over a quarter work two or more jobs, and countless others speak of extreme social isolation due to financial pressures.”

University students are spending an average of £1,146 a month, leaving them with an average shortfall of £467 a month, the survey has suggested.

It found that more than three in four (77%) students surveyed are worried about their student loan repayments.More than one in four students reported having at least two jobs More than one in four students reported having at least two jobs (Chris Ison/PA). More than nine in 10 (91%) students said they think at least one change should be made to student loan repayments.

A report by the Commons Treasury Committee in July called on the Government to scrap the three-year threshold freeze for graduates repaying their student loans. Ministers have faced criticism for how they have handled repayment terms for graduates, in particular those with so-called “plan 2” loans taken out between September 1 2012 and July 31 2023 in England.

At the budget in October, the Chancellor froze the salary threshold at which graduates repay the loan for three years from 2027. From next year, they will pay back 9% of everything they earn above £29,385 until 2030.

Graduates will likely be left worse off as a result, as the threshold would have otherwise risen with inflation. Dame Meg Hillier, the Labour MP who chairs the Commons Treasury Committee, urged the Government to “reconsider” the threshold freeze.

She told MPs in the Commons on Tuesday: “This is a cohort of students already facing huge pressures on housing costs, facing pressures paying into pensions, the generation that is helping to grow Britain, that is working to deliver essential jobs in our in our economy, helping to grow that economy, the generation that will pay for the NHS and the ageing population.”

Mr Allingham added: “We’re calling on the Government not to ignore the plight of current students, and to ensure any student loan reforms include increasing maintenance funding to catch up with inflation.”

University students are spending an average of £1,146 a month, leaving them with an average shortfall of £467 a month, the survey has suggested.University students are spending an average of £1,146 a month, leaving them with an average shortfall of £467 a month, the survey has suggested.

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), said: “Any student who is worried about their finances should know they are not alone; they can reach out to their university’s student support service which will be able to help.

“Universities are primed with advice and can assist with essentials; they also have initiatives such as hardship funds, bursaries and discounted meal schemes which can support students. The Government must review its maintenance thresholds in England, to better help students from all backgrounds thrive in their university careers.”

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has proposed a review of the student finance system in England.

Mr Gordon, who said he faces a student loans bill of more than £65,000, warned he had heard from doctors who had refused extra shifts because, “once higher tax rates added, national insurance and the student loan repayments, they keep less than half of every extra pound”.

He told the Commons on Tuesday: “At a time where our NHS is calling out for extra staff and extra support, we are punishing those very people for trying to work harder.”

Save the Student’s National Student Money Survey was conducted between May and August and received 1,419 responses from undergraduate students.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/students-university-money-skipping-meals-jobs-b3050716.html

"University tuition fees: Why are they increasing?" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/students-university-money-skipping-meals-jobs-b3050716.html?primis_content=embed5e7a74 nlfpmod
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Hehehe! E don it is red red hot everywhere, This is not funny @ all. The noose kept getting tighter and tighter. No wonder, they now see foreign students as economic parasites hence tightening immigrations rules.

Even UK PLAB is not more a feasible today as the NHS said they don't have enough space for UK graduates let alone IMGs.

Racoon:
Hehehe! E don it is red red hot everywhere, This is not funny @ all. The noose kept getting tighter and tighter. No wonder, they now see foreign students as economic parasites hence tightening immigrations rules.

Even UK PLAB is not more a feasible today as the NHS said they don't have enough space for UK graduates let alone IMGs.

This is very not correct and is very wrong. UK does not see foreign students as parasites at all, and in fact needs them to subsidise the UK education system. Unfortunately, foreign students are seeming to be finding better places to go get their education, and have abandoned UK. And the reduction in revenue due to the fall has left many universities struggling financially.

Giving education and providing jobs are 2 separate things. Foreign students are expected to leave the country after their education.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/aug/13/uk-universities-face-financial-crisis-amid-collapse-in-international-students

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/universities-student-lower-grades-foreign-8fqmbs9q7

Oyibo wey no like book on a regular day. This is good news. At least they’ll be physically fit and mentally sharp. Anyone who’s tried to kill hungry mosquitoes will agree with me.

It will NEVER be well with the UK.

Never!!!

This sapa thing reach that side also?
May God help us ooo 🙏

LordLicifer:
Correct, as you have rightly said, foreign students are expected to leave the country after their educations. But they don't leave! None ever left. Therefor they become parasites hence the tightening of student visas system

Gbamsolutely.
Nothing but the truth this is.

E dey happen for even Naija and u no go still get job after all that suffering, a lot knows what dey went through to graduate in Nigeria.

Kalashnikov49:
It will NEVER be well with the UK.

Never!!!

How old are you?
14 years or what?
What kinda comment is this ?

Nah Nigeria get space for laziness whereby you can feel so much entitled to a poor boyfriend 2k in saner clime nah all man for himself. In Fela's voice "you go work you go kwench you go ta...ya ..." . Jakpa is not for the weak else

Kobopro3:
Things are hard everywhere

You are right with this,.
But,
It will end in praise.
Do not give up, keep pushing 💪

budaatum:
This is very not correct and is very wrong. UK does not see foreign students as parasites at all, and in fact needs them to subsidise the UK education system. Unfortunately, foreign students are seeming to be finding better places to go get their education, and have abandoned UK. And the reduction in revenue due to the fall has left many universities struggling financially.

Giving education and providing jobs are 2 separate things. Foreign students are expected to leave the country after their education.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/aug/13/uk-universities-face-financial-crisis-amid-collapse-in-international-students

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/universities-student-lower-grades-foreign-8fqmbs9q7

Correct, as you have rightly said, foreign students are expected to leave the country after their educations. But they don't leave! None ever left. Therefor they become parasites hence the tightening of student visas system

Is a normal things for Nigeria student in UK

Kobopro3:
Things are hard everywhere

It'll get better in the United Kingdom generally speaking when the Scots, Welsh and Irish go solo. London will properly come into its own as the financial capital of Europe and I dare say, the World!

Na lie! No student is hungry in the UK no be all dis ones wey dey go Pubs and clubs every weekend dey go drink for west end with their student loans?

[quote author= post=140683255]This sapa thing reach that side also?
May God help us ooo 🙏



Gbamsolutely.
Nothing but the truth this is.[/quote]It's been ages I saw you on any thread... How's business going

Life is the same everywhere now. 🤷‍♀️

In reality, some things like clothes are cheaper here.

zoedew:
It'll get better in the United Kingdom generally speaking when the Scots, Welsh and Irish go solo. London will properly come into its own as the financial capital of Europe and I dare say, the World!

I cannot wait to witness this.

Errr... Maybe the capital financial of Europe but not of the world. China, China, China!

Haha 🤣 🤣... What did the UK do to you bro ?

Kalashnikov49:
It will NEVER be well with the UK.

Never!!!

LordLicifer:
Correct, as you have rightly said, foreign students are expected to leave the country after their educations. But they don't leave! None ever left. Therefor they become parasites hence the tightening of student visas system

Many do leave. There's lots of foreign students from wealthy nations who are paid to be educated in UK to return to jobs back in their home country. And those who do stay can not be parasites, as they have no recourse to the public purse.

The tightening of the student visas system is so people don't abuse it as an entry system to not study, as they wouldn't have the means to fund their stay neither, and may likely turn to crime to survive.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universities-face-ban-on-international-students-over-visa-abuse

Kalashnikov49:
It will NEVER be well with the UK.

Never!!!

Ha! Kilode!! Why are you so bitter against Charley?

floss:
It's been ages I saw you on any thread... How's business going

To God be the glory.
Things are good and fine.
Business is going wonderfully well.
Thanks for asking.
Wishing you all the very best in life 💙

Kalashnikov49:
It will NEVER be well with the UK.

Never!!!

It will ALWAYS be well with the UK.

Always!!!😂

LordLicifer:
Correct, as you have rightly said, foreign students are expected to leave the country after their educations. But they don't leave! None ever left. Therefor they become parasites hence the tightening of student visas system

My coursemates during my Masters, from top Countries went back home after graduation.

Students from Japan and China, rarely do part time jobs and do live quality lives as students.

budaatum:
Many do leave. There's lots of foreign students from wealthy nations who are paid to be educated in UK to return to jobs back in their home country. And those who do stay can not be parasites, as they have no recourse to the public purse.

The tightening of the student visas system is so people don't abuse it as an entry system to not study, as they wouldn't have the means to fund their stay neither, and may likely turn to crime to survive.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universities-face-ban-on-international-students-over-visa-abuse

Not up to %1 leaves or left. Infact, Most if not all never leave, their intentions were to stay but only used student visas to enter, there have been A massive surge in migrants who entered are students now claiming asylum or refugees. (Parasites)


If a foreign student cannot afford to fund their studies anymore why not just leave rather they stay illegally and turn to crime that indicates that had being their original ulterior motives.

Dem even get luck there's Food Bank. Wetin we get here other than an Imaginary GOD

Mindlog:
My coursemates during my Masters, from top Countries went back after graduation.

Students from Japan and China, rarely do part time jobs and do live quality lives as Students.

Okay, one person the other 2000 are claiming asylum

bassdow:
Dem even get luck there's Food Bank. Wetin we get here other than an Imaginary GOD

Yes, even de food bank sef no reach every body again..

The united kingdom is a third world country

[quote author= post=140683356]To God be the glory.
Things are good and fine.
Business is going wonderfully well.
Thanks for asking.
Wishing you all the very best in life 💙[/quote]Na lie. Your bbq business has closed because of the bad economy you're defending.