HYSLOP "BURYING HER HEAD IN THE SAND" OVER STUDENT HARDSHIP TALKS

12.20.00pm GMT Wed 28th Oct 2009

Mike Pringle MSP has accused Fiona Hyslop of burying her head in the sand as an offer of a joint meeting with opposition parties and the NUS over student hardship last week was ignored by her office. Opposition parties called for urgent talks after the Cabinet Secretary missed a crunch meeting two weeks ago because she was on holiday.

Negotiations broke-down last Wednesday with the Scottish Government refusing to consider an alternative proposal put forward by the National Union of Students (NUS).

Mike Pringle said

"The Government needs to wake up to the reality of student hardship, how can students be expected to focus on their studies with financial worries hanging over their heads. A student in Edinburgh can be forced to spend the maximum loan allowance of £3000 per anum on accommodation alone, which leaves nothing for food never mind anything for books!

"The Government has already dumped its promise on student debt and is well on the way to dumping its promise on grants as well, Fiona Hyslop needs to stop burying her head in the sand and stick up for Scotland's students."

Commenting Margaret Smith said:

"We have told Fiona Hyslop that talks with all political parties and the NUS need to take place urgently to get the Scottish Government's approach to tackling hardship absolutely right. It is a slap in the face to students everywhere that she has chosen to ignore this.

"Students are suffering real hardship right now. The Scottish Government's proposals fall far short of the £7000 minimum income for the poorest students that we asked for. Opposition parties have already secured £2 million for childcare and ensured that all students' income is increased through a mix of loans and bursaries for young and independent students, but we need to get more pounds in students' pockets."