Government must introduce minimum income guarantee for students - Purvis

1.44.03pm GMT Thu 24th Apr 2008

Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP, Jeremy Purvis, has urged the Government to bring forward proposals for a minimum income guarantee for students in Midlothian and the Borders, as agreed by the Scottish Parliament.

An NUS Scotland survey, published today, has found that almost a third of all students have considered dropping out of university or college due to money problems.

The survey also revealed that 70 per cent of students whose parents did not go on to Further Education are even more likely to consider dropping out.

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

"Students across the Borders and Penicuik are panicking that they may not be able to afford to complete their college and university courses.

"Liberal Democrats were instrumental in securing parliamentary approval for a minimum income guarantee for students with my successful amendment to the Abolition of the Graduation Endowment (Scotland) Bill. Regrettably, the Scottish Government has not made any progress since the measure was agreed.

"Ministers must stop dragging their feet, heed the will of Parliament and take steps towards introducing this minimum income guarantee. This would go some way to alleviating the worry preying on students' minds."