Include other major cities with high cost of living in London maintenance loan category
Include other major cities with high cost of living in London maintenance loan category
The Issue
The changes in cost of living in recent years has impacted Great Britain as a whole drastically. Students in major cities such as Edinburgh, which has a difficult rental market to navigate as it is, are forced into renting increasingly expensive properties. Between June 2023 and June 2024, the average rent for a private property increased by 15.1% (ONS, July 2024), compared to 8.6% across the nation, 8.4% in Scotland and 9.7% in London (ONS, July 2024). Finding and securing joint tenancy properties less than £750 a month is an almost impossible task.
The University of Edinburgh advises £2257 a month in living costs, compared to universities in London, who estimate around £1200-£1800 (Various university websites). Private student accommodation prices and private rental prices barely differ, with studios starting at £900 per month and going up to around £2000. The average price of a private 1 bed flat being £966 (ONS).
Cities such as Manchester, Leeds, York, Brighton, Bristol and Norwich, known for their student populations, have significantly higher average rental prices compared to their surrounding areas. This price difference ranges from £300 to £500 more a month (ONS).
Students studying in Edinburgh, particularly, should be included in the London maintenance loan category as the rental price increase and rental market situation is becoming unimaginably worse every year. The cost of living is quickly matching that in London. As a student at the University of Edinburgh, I urge the new Labour Government to realise the situation for the student population in major, metropolitan and student cities across Great Britain and lessen our burden to allow us to access higher education more comfortably.
Sources:
- ONS Statistics on Edinburgh rental prices, July 2024
- ONS Statistics on rental prices in England and Wales, July 2024
- University of Edinburgh living cost estimates
- Student accommodation prices
If you have not lived in Edinburgh before, see this article from Glenham Property to understand how more about the context and factors affecting student housing.
66
The Issue
The changes in cost of living in recent years has impacted Great Britain as a whole drastically. Students in major cities such as Edinburgh, which has a difficult rental market to navigate as it is, are forced into renting increasingly expensive properties. Between June 2023 and June 2024, the average rent for a private property increased by 15.1% (ONS, July 2024), compared to 8.6% across the nation, 8.4% in Scotland and 9.7% in London (ONS, July 2024). Finding and securing joint tenancy properties less than £750 a month is an almost impossible task.
The University of Edinburgh advises £2257 a month in living costs, compared to universities in London, who estimate around £1200-£1800 (Various university websites). Private student accommodation prices and private rental prices barely differ, with studios starting at £900 per month and going up to around £2000. The average price of a private 1 bed flat being £966 (ONS).
Cities such as Manchester, Leeds, York, Brighton, Bristol and Norwich, known for their student populations, have significantly higher average rental prices compared to their surrounding areas. This price difference ranges from £300 to £500 more a month (ONS).
Students studying in Edinburgh, particularly, should be included in the London maintenance loan category as the rental price increase and rental market situation is becoming unimaginably worse every year. The cost of living is quickly matching that in London. As a student at the University of Edinburgh, I urge the new Labour Government to realise the situation for the student population in major, metropolitan and student cities across Great Britain and lessen our burden to allow us to access higher education more comfortably.
Sources:
- ONS Statistics on Edinburgh rental prices, July 2024
- ONS Statistics on rental prices in England and Wales, July 2024
- University of Edinburgh living cost estimates
- Student accommodation prices
If you have not lived in Edinburgh before, see this article from Glenham Property to understand how more about the context and factors affecting student housing.
66
The Decision Makers
Petition created on 30 July 2024