Official research has revealed that some students were forced to cut back on food during the last academic year as the cost of living soared. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) interviewed 25 students as a follow-up to a wider survey in February, which found that nine in ten students were worried about rising costs.
The ONS reported that careful budgeting was insufficient to keep costs down, leading some students to skip meals, take on debt, or dip into savings. Many worked extra hours, sometimes in multiple jobs, or relied on family support. Students said the rising cost of living affected their academic performance, skills development, health, and wellbeing.
A separate survey by Save the Student showed that respondents spent £1,078 per month on living costs, up from £924 a year earlier. Rent saw the biggest increase, rising by £21 per month. The survey, based on 1,786 responses, also found that maintenance loan increases in England of 2.8% were insufficient to cover costs, leading to greater numbers accessing hardship funds.
Harry Rose, a 19-year-old freelancer moving to London for a TV production course, described the cost of renting as 'atrocious' and said most of his food is bought with discounted yellow stickers. Clarissa Struthers, 26, worked three jobs while studying social work, often working up to four days per week. She told the BBC: 'It affects your grades because you're so tired from working around lectures.'
Tom Allingham from Save the Student called the survey results 'troubling', with 'huge swathes' of students facing food poverty. A Department for Education spokeswoman said £276m is available this academic year for universities to top up hardship schemes, on top of increases to student loans and grants. However, the ONS noted that bursaries and hardship funds were not open to everyone.
