Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire has welcomed the Scottish Government delivering new financial support for undergraduate students studying in Scotland’s universities.

From the 2024-25 academic term students from North Ayrshire will see a £2,400 increase to the annual support package, which will take the undergraduate funding package to £11,400 every year.

For the first time students will also have the option to spread this support out over 12 months, meaning that students who chose to will now receive payments across the summer months.

The summer months can be difficult for learners as their support payments stop – but the SNP Government has taken action to ensure that learners are now supported for the entire year.

SNP MSP Ms Maguire said: “The summer months can be very challenging for students as they try to pay household bills without receiving funding – this is why the SNP Government has taken action to support students.

“In addition to increasing available support by £2,400, taking it to £11,400 per year, students can now also spread those payments across 12 months instead of the current nine.

“Thanks to free tuition and enhanced support measures Scotland has the lowest levels of student debt in the UK and the SNP Government will continue to take every action to enable more people into further education.

“We have record numbers of students applying for university – and it is funding support measures delivered by the SNP Government like this that will continue to break down barriers to further education.”