UnitedFuture Leader Hon Peter Dunne supports calls by the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations to lift the cap on student accommodation benefit. The accommodation benefit is an element of the student allowance has been capped at a maximum of $40 per week since 2001.
“We are emerging now from the financial crisis and it’s time we reviewed the tertiary fees and student support scheme so that it remains sustainable.”
“We need to ensure there is an appropriate level of fairness and equity.”
“For those studying in our larger centres where rent is significantly higher the current arrangement is unfair” said Mr Dunne.
Currently students receive the same accommodation support no matter where they are studying, “that needs to be reconsidered.”
UnitedFuture will seek also to review the independence threshold for the student allowance. It is currently 24.
“We will commit to a review of the accommodation supplement and the wider tertiary student support scheme” said Mr Dunne.
“Tertiary students are the next generation of our workforce and we need to make sure that we recognised that and support students appropriately.”