Niall
@niallhignett.bsky.social
22. Former Labour staffer. Occasional freelancer featured in Metro, Guardian, LADbible, and others. Law student. YIMBY. Views own etc. He/Him 🏳️🌈. Mainly using Blue Sky for procrastination purposes.
https://muckrack.com/niall-hignett?s=09
https://muckrack.com/niall-hignett?s=09
It's tangible, affordable, and possibly too reasonable. With a review of student finance overdue, I hope we can make it happen.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
It's tangible, affordable, and possibly too reasonable. With a review of student finance overdue, I hope we can make it happen.
If you're in this space and think you can provide support to make this happen, please do get in touch. This is the sole policy aim of Safety Net HE, an organisation I set up to advocate for EaCE students.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
If you're in this space and think you can provide support to make this happen, please do get in touch. This is the sole policy aim of Safety Net HE, an organisation I set up to advocate for EaCE students.
I wrote to Jacqui Smith earlier this week to ask to meet to discuss this proposal, and I hope that's a meeting that can happen.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I wrote to Jacqui Smith earlier this week to ask to meet to discuss this proposal, and I hope that's a meeting that can happen.
In sum, this is effectively free for the Government. It would offer a lifeline for students in need of additional financial support to complete their degrees, which despite perceptions, comes with huge advantages for life chances and overall lifetime earnings.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
In sum, this is effectively free for the Government. It would offer a lifeline for students in need of additional financial support to complete their degrees, which despite perceptions, comes with huge advantages for life chances and overall lifetime earnings.
It would be acceptable for the extended loan to fall under the post-grad loan repayment pathway, which is a net-zero cost to the Treasury due to the lower repayment threshold and lower principal loan.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
It would be acceptable for the extended loan to fall under the post-grad loan repayment pathway, which is a net-zero cost to the Treasury due to the lower repayment threshold and lower principal loan.
know there's no point asking for unicorns in the current fiscal climate - so I'm not.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
know there's no point asking for unicorns in the current fiscal climate - so I'm not.
The answers were, unfortunately, not good enough. Inclusion in impact assessments is not tangible work to improve the access rate and close the attainment and attrition gaps:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The answers were, unfortunately, not good enough. Inclusion in impact assessments is not tangible work to improve the access rate and close the attainment and attrition gaps:
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
It's been great to talk to supportive MPs like @adamthompsonmp.bsky.social, chair of the universities APPG, and @joshmacalistermp.bsky.social who authored the children's social care review.
The wonderful @julietcampbellmp.bsky.social submitted questions related to this to the DfE:
The wonderful @julietcampbellmp.bsky.social submitted questions related to this to the DfE:
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
It's been great to talk to supportive MPs like @adamthompsonmp.bsky.social, chair of the universities APPG, and @joshmacalistermp.bsky.social who authored the children's social care review.
The wonderful @julietcampbellmp.bsky.social submitted questions related to this to the DfE:
The wonderful @julietcampbellmp.bsky.social submitted questions related to this to the DfE:
Research by HEPI recently found that the maximum student loan, after years of real-terms squeeze and soaring rental costs, now covers only half of mandatory costs for some students. This proposal would alleviate some of the burden for some of the most in-need people in HE.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Research by HEPI recently found that the maximum student loan, after years of real-terms squeeze and soaring rental costs, now covers only half of mandatory costs for some students. This proposal would alleviate some of the burden for some of the most in-need people in HE.
The proposal from me is to change the eligibility rules for the loan pathway currently known as the "long courses loan", which would offer independent students an additional £2,500/year in loans.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The proposal from me is to change the eligibility rules for the loan pathway currently known as the "long courses loan", which would offer independent students an additional £2,500/year in loans.
They are 3x more likely to drop out, and significantly less likely to attain a "good" degree. Most of these students cite financial reasons for dropping out.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
They are 3x more likely to drop out, and significantly less likely to attain a "good" degree. Most of these students cite financial reasons for dropping out.
Estranged and care experienced students, particularly statutory care leavers, have a diabolical access rate to university. Just 13% of care-experienced students go to university, compared to nearly 50% of the general population.
August 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Estranged and care experienced students, particularly statutory care leavers, have a diabolical access rate to university. Just 13% of care-experienced students go to university, compared to nearly 50% of the general population.
Yes, fair - the admin systems the treasury use are massively outdated. I personally hoped they'd use the savings to raise the pension credit threshold and keep WFA tagged to it. Would do much more to tackle pensioner poverty than this.
June 9, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Yes, fair - the admin systems the treasury use are massively outdated. I personally hoped they'd use the savings to raise the pension credit threshold and keep WFA tagged to it. Would do much more to tackle pensioner poverty than this.
Yes, plus assessed based on assets and holdings - you can be v wealthy and still quality, even if you withdraw less than £35k a year from your pension fund/broader estate
June 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Yes, plus assessed based on assets and holdings - you can be v wealthy and still quality, even if you withdraw less than £35k a year from your pension fund/broader estate
The threshold should've been raised, sure. To £35k? What an unjustifiable waste of resources.
How many kids could've been lifted out of poverty for the same cost?
How many kids could've been lifted out of poverty for the same cost?
June 9, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The threshold should've been raised, sure. To £35k? What an unjustifiable waste of resources.
How many kids could've been lifted out of poverty for the same cost?
How many kids could've been lifted out of poverty for the same cost?
Sorry, but the assisted dying bill is a naive endeavour by well meaning MPs unfamiliar with the law of unintended consequences.
If Australia's functional healthcare service leads to these incidences, then dread to imagine what will happen under the currently dysfunctional NHS.
If Australia's functional healthcare service leads to these incidences, then dread to imagine what will happen under the currently dysfunctional NHS.
June 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Sorry, but the assisted dying bill is a naive endeavour by well meaning MPs unfamiliar with the law of unintended consequences.
If Australia's functional healthcare service leads to these incidences, then dread to imagine what will happen under the currently dysfunctional NHS.
If Australia's functional healthcare service leads to these incidences, then dread to imagine what will happen under the currently dysfunctional NHS.
Maybe in this case - for two people in very old age suffering multiple chronic health conditions - it's not egregious.
But, principally - a non-terminal psychiatric condition triggering a discussion about assisted dying eligibility, and being lauded by Leadbetter? Christ.
But, principally - a non-terminal psychiatric condition triggering a discussion about assisted dying eligibility, and being lauded by Leadbetter? Christ.
June 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Maybe in this case - for two people in very old age suffering multiple chronic health conditions - it's not egregious.
But, principally - a non-terminal psychiatric condition triggering a discussion about assisted dying eligibility, and being lauded by Leadbetter? Christ.
But, principally - a non-terminal psychiatric condition triggering a discussion about assisted dying eligibility, and being lauded by Leadbetter? Christ.
He was told he was eligible for assisted suicide sporadically because he had an anxiety attack.
Then, it took three weeks from an impulse decision to assisted suicide, with illnesses that seem not to very clearly meet the "terminal" threshold.
Then, it took three weeks from an impulse decision to assisted suicide, with illnesses that seem not to very clearly meet the "terminal" threshold.
June 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
He was told he was eligible for assisted suicide sporadically because he had an anxiety attack.
Then, it took three weeks from an impulse decision to assisted suicide, with illnesses that seem not to very clearly meet the "terminal" threshold.
Then, it took three weeks from an impulse decision to assisted suicide, with illnesses that seem not to very clearly meet the "terminal" threshold.
I assume this would've needed HMO approval from Islington council, so it must meet whatever requirements there are (which is insane really)
May 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I assume this would've needed HMO approval from Islington council, so it must meet whatever requirements there are (which is insane really)
*A self contained studio that is situated in a GREAT location for bbqs
(but yes it's mental)
(but yes it's mental)
May 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
*A self contained studio that is situated in a GREAT location for bbqs
(but yes it's mental)
(but yes it's mental)
