Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Maintenance grants for full-time students in the UK will be held at 2009/10 levels during the next academic year, according to ministers.

The freeze will no doubt anger those in full-time education in 2010/11 because tuition fees are expected to rise.

An increase of 2.04 per cent will apply to tuition fee levels beginning 2010/11, announced higher education minister David Lammy.

He explained: "In these difficult economic times, we are continuing to take difficult decisions in the interests of students, universities and taxpayers alike.

"We have therefore decided to maintain the current package of maintenance support for full-time students, reflecting the current low inflationary environment."

The full maintenance grant will be maintained at £2,906, while those living away from home outside of London could be eligible for support of up to £4,950 a year.

Mr Lammy noted that the government is expecting to spend even more on student support next year, having seen spending rise to £5 billion in 2009/10.

Higher Education Statistics Agency Figures released last month indicated that there is now a higher percentage of people from state schools going to university than ever before.

There are now also more young people from lower socio-economic groups going into higher education than ever before, the figures show.