To ask the Minister for the Economy whether any review of the Student Maintenance Grant has taken place to align it with the living wage to help students to meet the increasing cost of living in Northern Ireland, such as rent.

I understand the financial pressures that students face and am pleased that in January my predecessor announced a 20% uplift in maintenance loan support for full-time undergraduates for the coming academic year.

The review of higher education funding is due to commence in the coming months and will consider, among other issues, the financial support available to students including the maintenance grant.