Leeds Beckett Students’ Union is extremely disappointed with the Government’s failure to increase student loans and grants in line with inflation.  

The Government announced plans to increase student loans and grants for undergraduate and postgraduate students by 2.8% for the 2023/24 academic year. Unlike the Welsh government’s student loan and grant increase of 9.4%, this increase fails to come close to adequately supporting students in the face of astronomical inflation and a continuing cost-of-living crisis. 

While inflation has hit record highs and students are faced with climbing grocery and energy bills, students have been overlooked and continue to fail to be seen by the Government as a group that will see a substantial impact on their standard of living.  

We are determined to campaign for this decision to be reconsidered and for the increase to be adjusted to have a meaningful impact for students. Alongside our local efforts, the NUS is also campaigning for the Government to develop a tailored cost-of-living support package for students. 

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union has worked closely with the University to make sure our students have been and continue to be supported throughout the cost-of-living crisis.  

We have worked to ensure there are affordable meals on campus for all students. There are cheap meals in our SU bars, The Hive, including a panini of the day + salad deal for £2.45, and the University is also offering affordable hot meals across campus.  

To help combat transport costs, students and staff can access a free shuttle bus that runs between Headingley and City campuses. The shuttle makes 13 journeys between 8am and 5.15pm and you can view their full timetable here.  

LBSU is also committed to ensuring that students have affordable opportunities to socialise. Our Give It a Go programme gives students the chance to try something new and meet new people for free or at a small cost. You can also book spaces in our venues for your gatherings for free! Just contact lbsu-welcome@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.  

At LBSU, we will continue to work on our own initiatives to support students through the cost-of-living crisis as well as lobby the Government for more substantial and comprehensive support for students across the country.  

If you need support, you can contact our LBSU Advice Service for confidential and independent advice on academic, housing and financial issues.  

You can read more about the support that’s available to you on our cost-of-living support webpage.