It's a stupid system, since I live with my mum and her partner, yet my mum only works part time and gets around £10k a year, whereas her partner works on a commission based system so for the financial year student finance him to enter, I get the minimum maintenance grant. Next year however, I will be entitled to the maximum because he received less business that year. Plus the fact he has 2 children who live with their mother that he has to support.
This system needs a massive overhaul, since I'm going to have to support myself entirely, without any help from anyone.
I'm happily willing to do so, but I think it's particularly unfair how your parent’s income should determine whether or not it is necessary for you to work part-time at university.