Loans That Last: Your FTO's Call for Maintenance Loan Reform
Katie Poyner, Bristol SU’s Union Affairs Officer, has joined a major campaign to reform the student maintenance loan system, calling for real support that meets real student needs 📢
Along with the support from her fellow full-time officers, Katie has made a huge step forward by gaining the support of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol to back this motion for change.
Yesterday, this campaign was presented in Westminster by Katie at the All-Party Parliamentary Group, alongside ongoing efforts to amend the Renters Reform Bill to better represent student interests—building on last term’s campaigning. The Renters Reform Bill ammendment campaign is led by NUS representatives and supported by our officers, Bakhatawr and Lucy, who traveled to Westminster with Katie to advocate on behalf of Bristol students
Currently the Maintenance Loan system fails to reflect the significant differences in living costs across the UK, particularly in cities like Bristol, Bath, and York, where expenses are disproportionately high. For students outside London, the "one-size-fits-all" loan approach just doesn’t work, Katie said.
The national campaign is pushing for two crucial changes:
- Tying maintenance loans to inflation to tackle the rising cost of living.
- Considering regional disparities in loan calculations, so students in higher-cost areas receive the support they need without disadvantaging students elsewhere.
This campaign, which began in York, is supported by students, MPs, vice-chancellors, and university officers across the UK. Katie, alongside other Bristol SU officers, has signed a joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves advocating for change. Bristol’s Vice-Chancellor, Evelyn Welch, has also lent her support by signing the letter, joining other university leaders in backing the call for fairer funding.
When asked what it meant to have the support of Evelyn Welch in this campaign Katie said;
“Having the clear support of Vice-Chancellors like Evelyn Welch is a significant step forward, especially as Bristol is one of the most expensive cities for students to live in. Her backing underscores the urgent need to reform maintenance loans. It sends a powerful message that those in positions of influence are standing with students to demand meaningful change.”
At its heart, this campaign is about ensuring students can choose their university based on aspirations, not financial constraints. It demands that the government recognises the value of universities and works towards sustainable solutions to rising university costs.
“It is crucial that the government listens to students on this issue. The current system is leaving students struggling to cover even the basics, and university life is becoming increasingly unaffordable. The previous government failed to address this crisis, and students are crying out for maintenance loans that genuinely reflect real living costs. We’re encouraged by the government’s recent focus on this issue, but we urge them to take decisive action to implement long-term, sustainable reforms that make higher education accessible for all.”
When asked what she hoped this campaign will achieve, Katie expressed;
“The aim of the Loans That Last campaign is to secure a meeting with Rachel Reeves while continuing to work with other full-time officers to strengthen our collective voice. I will also bring this campaign to Westminster as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group meeting on renters’ rights, where I’ll emphasise the urgent need for maintenance loan reform. Alongside this, I’m working with the full-time officer team on our No More Guarantors campaign, addressing the housing issues many students face.”
“All this ties into our wider officer priorities at Bristol SU - tackling student poverty. These campaigns are interconnected, as fairer maintenance loans and accessible housing are essential steps toward making university life more affordable for all students. It’s vital that we keep fighting to address these systemic issues.”
For more information on this campaign or to learn more about what Katie has been up to, please contact her at su-union-affairs@bristol.ac.uk
