Breaking News : Mike Pringle welcomes government U-Turn on student funding but warns "It's still not nearly far enough."

2.12.00pm GMT Wed 28th Oct 2009

Commenting on the Education Secretary's U-turn on student funding Mike Pringle said:

"This is a welcome U-turn from the Education Secretary.

"It has taken hard work by the opposition parties and NUS Scotland to drag the SNP kicking and screaming into the best deal for Scotland's students.

"Yesterday's decision absolutely vindicates our refusal simply to go along with the Government's options and campaign instead for a better option that puts more money into students' pockets.

"The Education Secretary promised to replace loans with grants, but today's statement is clear. The SNP has abandoned this key election promise.

"And while this £30 million will now help some students, let's not forget that it is a drop in the ocean compared to the £2billion promise to scrap student loans, dumped by the SNP when they came to power.

"It's still not nearly far enough, ministers must stop dragging their feet, heed the will of Parliament and take steps towards introducing a minimum income guarantee for students."