One in 10 students turn to food banks in cost of learning crisis

theguardian.com:

More than one in 10 students are using food banks because they cannot make ends meet during the cost of living crisis, according to a survey by the National Union of Students (NUS).

The poll of more than 3,500 university students found that 11% are using food banks, up from 5% in January, while 96% are cutting back as a result ofsoaring prices and bills.

One in five say they are unable to buy toiletries and one in 10 cannot purchase sanitary products when required.

It was reported last month that there has been a 3,000% increase in the number of graduates who owe more than £100,000 in student loan debts.

In 2016, the Sutton Trust charity found that British graduates have the highest debts in the English-speaking world and the average loan balance has risen since then.

The NUS survey found that a third of students are living on less than £50 a month after paying their rent and bills, with many reporting that their maintenance funds are not enough to pay for a weekly shop, allow them to travel to university or cover their energy bills.

The poll also revealed a cost of learning crisis as three-quarters of students said they would be unable to pay for course materials without more support.

Four in 10 (42%) say they are unable to make it on to campus or are being forced to travel less, and 41% are neglecting their health so they can save money, by missing out on “extras” such as dental appointments.

Nine in 10 (92%) say the crisis is affecting their mental health, with 31% saying rising costs are having a “major” impact.

Only a fifth of students say they have received any government support and only 8% said they felt ministers are doing enough to support them.

More than eight in 10 (83%) have sought financial support through other