Student Grants

Welsh Assembly Government re-introduces Student Grants in Wales

The re-introduction of student grants in Wales has once more put the focus back onto Tony Blair and his UK Labour Government to put right the mess that they have made over student finance. In particular to abolish up-front Tuition Fees, a measure which is beyond the powers of the National Assembly for Wales.

The decision will benefit 43,000 Welsh students regardless of where they are studying and for the first time applies to those in Further Education as well as Higher Education. Means-tested grants up to £1500 will be available to those with a residuary income (i.e. after taking account of certain essential expenses) of £15,000. The average grant is expected to be about £800. This entitlement will be in addition to the existing student loan provision. A total of £41 million has been set aside this year to pay for the measure rising to £51 million next year.

The Welsh Assembly Government has honoured the recommendations of the Rees Report into student hardship by reintroducing grants for Welsh students where ever in the UK they choose to study. The Rees Commission was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government following its inclusion in the Partnership Agreement at the insistence of Welsh Liberal Democrats. Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Members are claiming that this announcement, which closely mirrors the move made by Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament, highlights the continued advance of the Liberal Democrats as a political force in the UK.

Liberal Democrats have campaigned consistently to scrap tuition fees and reintroduce the maintenance grant for students. They have received backing from organisations such as the National Union of Students, the Voluntary and Research & Development sectors and like-minded politicians from across the board.

Michael German, leader of the Welsh Lib Dem Assembly Group, said: "Liberal Democrats made a commitment to students to abolish tuition fees and reintroduce the maintenance grant. This announcement shows that what you see is what you get when you vote Liberal Democrat".

"Today is a day for celebration. Wales is clearly leading the way for students. My colleagues in Westminster will keep up the pressure on Tony Blair and his government to scrap tuition fees across the board."