Boost to student bursaries

Around 31,000 higher education students are to benefit from increased financial support as part of a package of new measures, MSPS have been told.

In a statement at Holyrood, further and higher education minister Shirley-anne Somerville announced that the threshold for higher education bursaries would increase by 10 per cent to £21,000 from 2019 onwards.

Bursary support for the poor est young students in higher education will be increased from £1,875 to £2,000 a year.

Both measures will benefit 13,500 students, she said. Support for the poorest independent students will also rise, benefiting nearly 18,000. Bursary support in further education will also rise, with all eligible students aged 18 and over receiving a guaranteed award.

Ms Somerville was expanding on steps set out by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the recent SNP conference.