Payday Loans To Reach Uni

More than 6, 000 Scottish students have resorted to payday loans to make it to university, according to Unite Students.

Their report has revealed the level of average annual student debt has more than doubled from £2, 300 in 2007/8 to more than £5, 000 last year.

The Scottish Government has cut the budget for bursaries and grants by £40 million.

Scottish Labour’s Acting Leader and Shadow Education Secretary Iain Gray said:  n“We already know from Professor Lindsay Paterson at the University of Edinburgh how badly served Scotland’s students are by the support offered under the SNP Government. This survey highlights just how appalling the situation really is.

“Under the SNP Government the budget for bursaries and grants has been slashed by £40 million and student debt has soared.

“That’s £40 million less for students who have the talent and the drive but need extra support to get on in life. It's thousands of kids who have the grades to access the best courses but can only get the extra support they need by borrowing more. 

“Now we learn that thousands aren’t just borrowing more from the Student Loans Company, they are going to pay day lenders like Wonga. 

“The SNP should be ashamed of the mess they have made of student support in Scotland.”