PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
STUDENT BENEFITS DURING SUMMER BREAK (19 July 1993)

That this House is concerned that many students face financial hardship over the summer; realises that the introduction of the student loan scheme, the freezing of maintenance grants and the exclusion of students from housing benefit and social security has made it impossible for students to support themselves without obtaining employment; recognises that, in a recession, student jobs are amongst the first casualties; observes that over a quarter of students are now forced to take on term-time employment with all the negative effect this has on their academic performance; regrets the fact that in 1991-92 there was a 188 per cent. increase in the number of students who dropped out of higher education on financial grounds; and calls upon the Government to make an investment in the future of the United Kingdom by allowing unemployed students to receive benefit in the summer months.

Sponsored by:
Dr Calum MacDonald (Labour)