To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) why the maximum maintenance loan available to Northern Irish students studying in Great Britain is lower than that for a student from a similar economic background studying at the same university but domiciled in Great Britain; (ii) whether raising the loan limit would come at any cost to his Department; and (iii) whether he plans to review this.

I have confirmed a 40% increase in the maximum student maintenance loan available to full-time undergraduate students, providing in the region of £55million in additional support to approximately 40,500 NI-domiciled students studying in the UK and Republic of Ireland from academic year 2023/24.

In addition, my Department will undertake a full review of the higher education funding system, including the support provided to students such as maintenance loans, grants and other student support products, and the support provided to the sector, such as the level and mix of teaching grant and fees.