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Andrew Pakes argued that students should be allowed to claim housing benefit

Hillary Shaw Geography postgraduate University of Leeds

I do think students should be able to claim housing benefit.

It is high time the government recognised that for most students studying is a job, or a means to one, not a way of idling away three or more years.

Not only does studying pay nothing, it actually pays negative wages - the tuition fees. Means test all students, as low wage claimants are means tested, after their tuition fees have been paid - if students are then below some financial threshold of savings and income, pay them unified income support and housing benefit.