NUS-USI welcomes comments from Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA on BBC The View about the importance of widening access to education. The minister rightly acknowledged that rising costs would risk making access to education and skills beyond reach for many.
The urgent focus should be on addressing the root causes of student poverty. Skyrocketing rents and the inflated cost of living are increasing the already high levels of student poverty.
We look forward to engaging with the Economy Minister so we can work together to end student poverty and create an accessible, lifelong education system.