UKIP MEP SINCLAIRE CALLS FOR STUDENT GRANTS

Nikki Sinclaire, UKIP MEP has called for student grants to replace the current debt making student loan programme." This is about investing in our future - why don't we take a share of the £45 million a day we waste in the EU to invest in our youths. Young people have enough to worry about - they should be concentrating on their studies and future not mounting debts" said Nikki Sinclaire.British undergraduates will on average owe £5,000 for every year of study suggested a poll of 2,000 students.

Freshers should expect to complete their first year of study with more than £21,200 by the time they graduate suggested The Push Student Debt Survey.Those starting degree courses this autumn could see their debt levels pushed to around £23,500.Students across England fare worse in contrast to their students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Average debt per year of study in England is £5,271, compared to £4,324 in Northern Ireland, £4,021 in Wales and £2,194 in Scotland.Johnny Rich, editor of Push.co.uk, said: "With the economy in recession, students are even more concerned about debt than they have been in recent years." Finding part-time work has got harder and many students are facing real financial hardship and are worrying about what lies ahead."Tuition fees from this autumn will stand at £3,225 per year.

Students can claim a loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, plus extra for living costs.There are additional grants available for poorer students; student loans are repaid when graduates earn more than £15,000.