NASMA are pleased to see the Westminster Government are beginning to address the funding shortfall that exists within Higher Education institutions. For too long now, institutions have been expected to provide more financial support to students, as well as provide increasingly complex support, in a climate where budgets are strained. It is important that Higher Education is funded adequately so institutions can continue to provide a high quality and excellent student experience, both in terms of teaching and learning, and support for students. NASMA welcomes the increase to student maintenance funding, something which has been neglected for some time. However, we note that this increase still falls short of adequately supporting students who are struggling to meet their basic costs of living.
NASMA are pleased to note that a longer term view of fees will form part of the three year spending review and expect this to consider sustainable models for the sector that also consider the financial pressures experienced by students.
NASMA are happy to provide our expertise and knowledge of student hardship and financial wellbeing to the spending review and hope that maintenance support is considered as part of this review.
We wait with interest to see how this announcement will impact the decision making of the devolved nations.
