Johnson Jr tells students: Just be frugal
UNIVERSITIES minister Jo Johnson has advised students facing high living costs simply to live frugally.
Boris Johnson’s younger brother said that it should not always be up to parents to supplement loans and students should spend less.
In comments likely to be seen as unhelpful as the party tries to reach out to the young, Mr Johnson acknowledged there may be a gap between loans provided and the cost of university.
‘That does not necessarily mean it’s a gap that has to be filled by parental contributions,’ he said.
‘There are many other ways in which students could fill that gap. They can work, as many, many students do.
‘They can also save and then of course they can borrow from their parents if they wish, but it isn’t necessarily a parental contribution.’
He continued: ‘What is also so important to bear in mind is that students have many different choices about the kind of lifestyle they want at university.
‘Some students want to live very modestly and have a frugal existence, focusing on their studies.
‘Other students may want a different lifestyle but there isn’t one cost of going to university – it’s a very specific choice that each individual will make.’
The minister was taking part in a fringe event at the Conservative party conference in Manchester on Tuesday with consumer finance expert Martin Lewis.
The National Union of Students vicepresident Amatey Doku said Johnson was out of touch with student finances.