Students turn to prostitution to fund college

Growing numbers of university and A-level students are turning to prostitution or working as escorts to fund their education, the National Union of Students said yesterday.

Rising living costs and fees, as well as cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for disadvantaged young people is the cause, says the NUS.

The union estimated that 20 per cent of the women working in lap dancing clubs were students. The claims were supported by the English Collective of Prostitutes, which reported an unprecedented number of calls from students.

The Government said there was "generous" help available for students and that it had earmarked £180 million for the most vulnerable 16 to 19-year-olds.