Welsh government backs Diamond proposals

The government of Wales has confirmed that it will be reducing the student maintenance grant for every Welsh student to £1,000 but will introduce a higher value means-tested grant.

The announcement, from education minister Kirsty Williams on 22 November, follows the recommendations of a review into the financing of Welsh higher education by the University of Aberdeen’s vice-chancellor Ian Diamond.

Under the proposals, every Welsh student will now receive a £1,000 maintenance grant, regardless of their means. Further means-tested grants will be available for students from the poorest households, up to a maximum of £9,000 a year.