Rising numbers of students in Northern Ireland are relying on food banks to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis, it has been revealed.
Ethan Davies, president of Ulster University Student's Union, told Belfast Live they are calling on local politicians to act on the student cost of living crisis, and stated that students make up 10% of the voting population and could have a big impact on the outcome of this year's election. "Budgeting classes are useful but what we need to see is actionable change as opposed to just 'here's how you make a really cheap meal.' We shouldn't be putting students in that financial situation where they're having to make a meal that's worth less than a pound a day."
"We're having students taking out hardship funds and constantly going to student well-being saying they can't afford to live. It's frustrating because you're told if you stop spending money on the likes of coffee you'll be fine.