Concerns have been raised over the rise in rental costs of student accommodation in Northern Ireland.

SDLP spokesperson Colin McGrath raised concerns and said more and more students in NI are having to commute long distances from home because accommodation prices are simply unaffordable.

He said: "The rental cost of student accommodation is rising and becoming more unaffordable for many students. The cost of student accommodation in the centre of Belfast is as high as £1,600 per month. These rising costs mean that those students whose parents cannot afford to subsidise their rent are being priced-out of the full University experience.

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"University is more than merely an academic exercise; it gives young people a chance to experience new things and gain independence by living away from home for the first time.

"Therefore, it is vital that more help is provided to students from less affluent backgrounds to ensure they can experience everything University has to offer, without the stress of commuting long distances to and from University, especially during exam times."