I have just come across a shocking news feature as I was reading a recent edition of The Sun. Under the heading “We joined the sex trade to pay University fees”, the article stated that many young female students in the UK have been ‘turning to the seedier side of life to pay their steep education bills’.

The National Union of Students is saying that because of increased living costs and tuition fees, many female students are taking up escort work and prostitution! The NUS is also saying that in the next year, when universities in England will be charging up to 9,000 sterling per year for tuition fees, almost triple the current maximum, the pressure on hard-up students will be even greater.

It is estimated that, because of this hefty increase in university fees, about 25% of female students are working in the sex industry. Also shocking is the fact that the English Collective of Prostitutes is confirming these figures. A spokeswoman for the ECOP stated that since the students’ grants system was axed, there has been a spike in requests for sex work by female students.

Reading all this makes one shiver and at the same time realise what a cushy style of life our university students have here in Malta. Not only do they not pay for their tuition fees, but they get a sumptuous stipend every month and a smart card to pay, at a reduced price, their university requirements... which many of them spend in extra- university ‘luxury’! What a great difference eh?

■ George Calleja

San Gwann