This week’s Labour Party conference was accompanied by a series of major policy wins for the education sector in England, including the reintroduction of targeted maintenance grants for students from low-income backgrounds and the commitment of a library in every primary school by 2029.
Maintenance grants had been abolished by the previous Conservative government in 2016, leaving students from the poorest backgrounds the most exposed to rising costs of living. The return of these grants for priority courses will offer vital financial support to college and university students in England akin to the maintenance grants and bursaries that are in place in Wales and Scotland.
1700 primary schools in England are currently without a library. The National Literacy Trust has highlighted that the Chancellor’s £10 million commitment to bring libraries to every English primary school before the end of the decade will allow almost half a million more children to unlock the benefits of reading.
Responding to the announcements, Community’s Operations Director and National Secretary for Education and Early Years Helen Osgood said:
“Community has long highlighted that the current student loan system is not working as it should, with a 20% real-terms decline in the value of maintenance loans since 2020. We applaud the government’s decision to respond to this with the reintroduction of maintenance grants. Whilst we await more details on the subjects which will be prioritised for grants – and would ultimately like to see the scheme extended as much as possible – this is a welcome step in the right direction.
“From primary education right through to higher education, this is a Labour government which is serious about breaking down barriers to opportunity for our children and young people.”
Join the union for education and early years workers
From teachers, tutors and lecturers to the early years, nannies and teaching assistants, we represent and support people working in every role you can imagine in the education and early years sector.
Our dedicated education and early years team have the training and experience to help guide you through any challenges or issues you are facing at work.
© Community Trade Union 2025
Thank you. We have received your query
We have received your query and a member of our Service Centre Department will be in touch to discuss further with you.
Due to service demands it is not always possible for our advisors to reply to your query immediately. We aim to respond within 48 hours of receipt.
If your employer has invited you to a formal meeting (disciplinary, grievance or appeal) and you are seeking representation, if you have not already done so via this form, please provide us with all relevant supporting information including any notes/minutes from any investigation process and your email/letter of invitation, which should include full details of when and where the meeting is due to take place.
Please note that representation is not provided for investigation meetings.
If you have any further queries, please contact our Service Centre Department on 0800 389 6332 or at servicecentre@community-tu.org.
Not a member?
Let’s get to know each other.
"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields