England University Fee and Loan Increases - Pan Para Hoy, Hambre Para Mañana?

Rises to University tuition fees in England (to support the financial stability of the university sector) were announced earlier this week.  They are to be buttressed by corresponding increases to maintenance loans to students - the Gov.UK website expresses “We recognise that students have been feeling the pinch of the cost of living. Because of this, we have decided to raise maintenance loans – the loan that helps you with your living expenses as a full-time student.”

Whilst offering immediate relief to those struggling with cost of living increases, some analysts are concerned about the sustainability of such measures.  On an individual level, students may well also fear that such up-front generosity ultimately increases the size of their final bill.  As the title to this piece posits, could this be a case of the Spanish saying: “Pan para hoy, hambre para mañana” (substantively translated as “feast for today, famine tomorrow”).

HM Government of Gibraltar have confirmed they will continue to fully fund the increased tuition fees for Gibraltar students pursuing higher education in the UK, as well as providing maintenance grants which do not require repayment (subject to conditions - essentially successfully completing these studies and making yourself available to the Gibraltar employment market). 

Gibraltar residents in full time education for at least 2 full academic years prior to university are generally eligible for payment of tuition fees and of a maintenance grant for a first degree (typically at UK universities).

Whilst clearly Gibraltar is not immune to financial headwinds, HMGoG's reaffirmed commitment to ‘free’ education (by way of continuing investment in Gibraltar's workforce of tomorrow), offers welcome respite to Gibraltar residents seeking higher education.