Read: Guest blog from Dr Annabel Kiernan, Pro Vice-Chancellor-Academic at Staffordshire University

On the surface it was very welcome news. The Government announced they’d be providing an additional £15 million in hardship funding this financial year to help English universities provide extra support for students. Amidst the cost-of-living crisis they’d also be granting a 2.8% uplift in maintenance loans. 

However, for students, yet again, it’s a case of just not enough. To put the 2.8% raise into context - the latest figures on the consumer price index rate of inflation stood at 10.7 per cent in November.

As Vivienne Stern, the Universities UK chief executive, put it: “Currently the student maintenance package in England is at its lowest value in seven years.” 

We know that up and down the country, students are struggling with the impact of rising living costs. A pulse poll by Staffordshire University Students’ Union in October revealed that students are reducing their travel, working more hours in employment, spending less time going out with friends and putting the heating on less.

If that wasn’t enough of a worry and call to action, we also know that financial reasons for withdrawing from university disproportionately impact students from underrepresented groups. In addition, 63% of our undergraduate student population at Staffordshire are commuting students and about 30% of undergraduate students are from the 20% most deprived areas in England. 

At Staffordshire University, we were an early signatory to the Social Mobility Pledge and are committed to working with This Is Purpose on a mission to break down the potential barriers to aspiration – something universities have been doing since before ‘levelling up’ become popular political lexicon. 

To help negate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our students, we partnered with Staffordshire University Students’ Union to implement a series of decisive actions that would have immediate impact of the ground. 

The University committed an additional £500,000 to support students as part of Staffordshire Action on Cost. Most of this funding will be used to provide direct financial support to students in need and will provide subsidised food options at catering outlets; increase the number of paid placement opportunities; and support students who are experiencing digital poverty. In addition, the University has given students extended access to safe and warm study spaces. 

Equality of opportunity sits at the very heart of our University’s activities. Many of our students are among the first in their families to go to university.

It's vitally important that we don’t let financial concerns negatively impact their ability to study and succeed. The financial support is on top of practical support solutions in the form of money management workshops, action on hygiene poverty, free cereal and toast from the Students’ Union, as well as subsidised access to clubs and societies. Free period products have also been made available in Students’ Union venues.

The University’s flagship Catalyst building is now open to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are also extending our paid work placement scheme, allowing more students the opportunity to access part-time paid work experience and earn while they learn. On an everyday practical level, a scheme to offer washing vouchers as well as subsided oatcakes will be in operation soon.

Digital poverty remains a concern and through our Discover Digital project, a Community Renewal Funded project, the University has recently supported 28 students with grants to support their digital access as well as a package of support to enhance their digital and employability skills.

We are committed to doing all we can while also continuing to highlight the need for more support from Government.  In a recent open letter to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, our Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones wrote: “Contrary to the widespread belief that most university students are 18-year-olds and supported by their parents, many of our students work alongside their study to lessen their financial burden. However, the worry is that they will now have to work additional hours or take on other jobs just to make to make ends meet. This could impact on their ability to complete their course or achieve their true potential.”

Levelling up means firstly developing talent wherever it is in our country, and providing places and access for people with potential, irrespective of the challenges they face.

While we work daily to narrow the opportunity gap and harness the many talents of our diverse communities, it is critical that Government pays more attention to what can be done right now to help the people who are sacrificing and studying to shape the future of tomorrow.