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Deian Hopkin commits the cardinal error of assuming that students need more and different sources of financial advice rather than a simplified system (Soapbox, October 8).

Financial advice is best provided at an institutional level by local professionals, backed by good information from Government. Charities, banks and other well-meaning amateurs only muddy the waters. Uniaid, of which Hopkin is chairman, should focus on supporting existing professionals and not competing with them.

Ironically, Hopkin fails to note that Uniaid is the charitable offshoot of Unite - the private-sector housing provider that causes many student woes.

He also omits to mention that their accommodation bursaries are numbered in the dozens and are unlikely to touch the sides of the student finance issue.

Neil Harrison
Bristol