NZUSA survey results an indicator of callous Gov't inaction

MEDIA RELEASE

NZUSA SURVEY RESULTS AN INDICATOR OF CALLOUS GOVERNMENT INACTION

6 APRIL 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Responding to reports of the latest NZUSA survey that show students are spending less on food to cover rent, Jack Close, spokesperson for the Aotearoa Students’ Alliance, says:

“According to TradeMe’s rent price index, rents have increased by more than 31 percent in the last five years. Meanwhile, StudyLink’s policy has adjusted living costs by a meagre 4.3 percent. The Students’ Alliance is disappointed but unsurprised that students have been forced to cut back on food just to pay their rent.”

“An official information response received by the Students’ Alliance on Mondayshows that the Ministry of Education has known for a decade that this living cost policy has ‘no rationale’.”

“It is time for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Hon. Paul Goldsmith to end his Government’s callous inaction, and put students’ welfare ahead of administrative simplicity and cost cutting.”

A copy of the Official Information Act response can be found here.

ENDS

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