Ministers bring forward student support cutbacks

By Jack Grove. Britain’s poorest students are set to lose bursaries and other support worth £100 million next year after ministers fast-tracked planned cuts. In a surprise announcement, universities and science minister David Willetts has said the £150 million National Scholarship Programme (NSP) will be reduced to £50 million next year. The scheme, which provides awards worth £3,000 to undergraduates from households earning £25,000 or less, was due to remain in place next year and be replaced by a new £50 million scholarship scheme for postgraduates from 2015-16 under plans announced in June’s Spending Review. More...