17 JUL 2023

FE students hit by ‘extreme poverty’, report finds

A report by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for students reveals that further education (FE) students in England are experiencing extreme poverty due to a decade of cumulative funding cuts. The lack of resources in FE colleges has resulted in students working excessive hours in insecure jobs to support themselves and their families, causing them to fall behind in their studies.

The report highlights several concerning issues, including increased safeguarding concerns, attendance dropouts, and requests for bursary support. The financial desperation faced by students has led to a rise in criminal and sexual exploitation, with vulnerable students drawn into lawbreaking due to financial destitution.

The report also emphasises the mental health challenges faced by FE students, with a significant increase in referrals to A&E and incidents of self-harm or suicide attempts. While there is expected to be a 6% rise in total spending per student in 16-18 education by 2024-25, the report states that college spending per pupil will still be approximately 10% below 2010-11 levels.

Disadvantaged young people are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to study in FE colleges and rely on free school meals. The main cost pressures reported by students include energy and transport. The APPG chair calls for further education to provide opportunities for skills development and social mobility but highlights that the cost of living crisis is discouraging young people and adults from pursuing education and achieving their potential.

The National Union of Students (NUS) expresses concern over students being forced to leave education due to financial constraints, leading to sacrifices of essential needs such as food and transportation. The NUS highlights the urgent need for adequate funding to support students in FE colleges.

In response, the Department for Education acknowledges the increase in the 16-19 bursary fund and overall funding for the sector. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient to address the severe financial difficulties faced by FE students and the strain on colleges' resources.

Overall, the report reveals a dire situation for FE students in England, calling for immediate action to alleviate extreme poverty, improve mental health support, and provide adequate funding to enable students to pursue their studies and improve their prospects.