PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has welcomed extra financial support for higher education students from next year.

The lower limit on family earnings that allows students to get a full grant has been raised to £25,000, and the upper limit for a partial grant has been raised from £35,000 to £60,000.

All 16-year-olds who qualify for an Education Maintenance Allowance will be given a guarantee of the amount of financial support.

Mr Prentice said: "This is really good news for students."