Disabled Student Allowance

I raised the Disabled Students’ Allowance at Business Questions on 19 April 2018.

With changes to DSA, a £200 up-front fee was applied across the board and not means-tested, which has resulted in a nearly 30% reduction in the number of students taking up vital equipment that could help them to work independently. Some 20% of students at the Royal Agricultural University are in receipt of DSA. We need their skills, so we need them to qualify, particularly because, as we are leaving the EU.

I called for a debate so that the Government can look again at removing the £200 up-front fee.

You can read the response I received from the Minister here .

The Minister said that the Government does not have any plans to review the need for this contribution. It is unacceptable that people have to pay £200 up front when many can’t afford to.