Hundreds of Reading students given food vouchers

More than 200 Reading students were given supermarket vouchers to buy groceries in 2022/23, as part of University cost of living support measures.

Students were also able to access food from an on-campus foodbank, while more than half a million pounds worth of support funds and grants for digital equipment were also distributed during the last academic year.

A range of support measures for students were introduced last year, with staff also offered support including discounted meals in campus eateries and loans and discounts for public transport.

A report published last week by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) highlighted the increasing financial pressures facing students and their families.

The report, How to Beat a Cost-of-Learning Crisis: Universities’ Support for Students, revealed that a quarter of universities have a food bank, and one in 10 distribute food vouchers for students in need. Both such measures have been adopted at Reading.

Figures from Reading show that in 2022/23:

•            192 students were given food from the Essentials Cupboard

•            234 were given £50 supermarket vouchers to buy groceries

•            581 were given a share of £566,440 in support funds

•            143 were awarded a commuter travel bursary

•            54 were awarded a total of £21,600 for digital equipment

In its report, HEPI has made a number of recommendations to UK universities, students’ unions, and the government, including calling for an increase in the student maintenance loan to keep pace with actual price rises. Currently, loan increases are based on two-year-old forecasts of inflation, which have underestimated the true value of rising prices.

Professor Elizabeth McCrum, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and student experience at the University of Reading, and co-chair of the University’s Cost of Living Taskforce, said: “This week, thousands of university students are starting a new academic year, and will be thinking about making ends meet for essentials like housing, food and travel.

“This new report highlights a range of important recommendations. Many initiatives are already in place at Reading, thanks to the work of students, University colleagues, and generous volunteers and donors, to help keep costs down for all students, and provide extra support for those who need it.”