Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Jeremy Purvis MSP challenged the First Minister to explain why his Government has failed to look into the impact that changing the eligibility criteria for bursaries and loans will have on students.

The Government changed the eligibility criteria for bursaries in March without consultation. Responses to Parliamentary Questions tabled by the Liberal Democrats have revealed that the Government did not undertake any modelling into whether this would make students worse off.

Ministerial guidance released under Freedom of Information legislation advises that “the main problem with this option is that some students currently in the system will be worse off” and “it will be therefore difficult to put a number on who may be affected by the new means test”.

The First Minister admitted to Mr Purvis that this is why the Government has had to put more money into hardship funds.

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

“The First Minister has admitted to me that the SNP’s policy was to reduce the eligibility criteria, resulting in more students having to apply for hardship funding, rather than carry out proper research and consult upon proposals.

“I asked the First Minister if he would ensure that those students already assessed for this year, who will have made financial plans for their courses, will not be adversely affected next year. He refused to do so.

“This is yet another slap in the face to Scottish students.”