Reacting to NUS Scotland’s “Still in the Red” report, Scottish Labour has called for action to put more pounds in students’ pockets as the current economic climate continues to take its toll on those in further study.
 
The report reveals that student hardship in Scotland is reaching extreme proportions with NUS Scotland warning of a crisis that will disproportionately affect students from the poorest backgrounds. 
Labour also said that the report further highlighted the SNP’s failure to properly address widening access to university and meet the needs of students. 
 
Labour's higher and further education spokeswoman, Claire Baker, also promised to include reform of the student support system in her party's proposals for an independent review.  
 
Under the SNP, the rate of participation in university from state school pupils and those from the most deprived social backgrounds is the worst in the UK.
 
Scotland also has the second highest drop-out rate in the UK along with the lowest level of student support.     
 
Labour’s higher and further education spokeswoman, Claire Baker, said:
 
“It is clear that, particularly at this time, students need more pounds in their pockets.
 
“The SNP’s failure to tackle widening access to higher education and deal with the main concerns of students is laid bare in this report.
 
“In Scotland, we have the lowest participation rates from the poorest backgrounds and state school pupils in the UK, the lowest student support levels and one of the highest drop-out rates – we must tackle these problems.
 
“Labour pressure managed to get an increase in the income of the poorest students and £2 million for childcare, but we must not stop there.   
 
“Those currently feeling the financial strain are the most vulnerable students and we need to make sure that the student support system doesn’t fail them. 
 
“Mike Russell is burying his head in the sand on the fundamental issues facing higher education.  We need an independent review to find the best way forward.”

6 September 2010