-
APPG Students chair secured an Urgent Question today, forcing the
Universities Minister to appear before Parliament to answer
questions on student support
-
Following the APPG Students’ report
recommending substantial hardship funding, rent refunds and
lost learning support, its Chair brands the Government’s £50 million
announcement, or £26 per student in England, a “failed
solution”
-
While the Minister accepted the
pandemic has been “incredibly difficult” for students, she did
not commit to the funding needed for hardship and missed
educational opportunities.
brought Universities Minister to the House of Commons today, by securing an Urgent
Question, to face MPs on support for students.
In response to his questioning, the
Minister did not commit to the additional hardship support
requested by the APPG, refunding all students’ rent for unused
accommodation, or providing support to universities to provide
the educational opportunities that students have missed out on –
such as access to specialist facilities, practical experience and
face-to-face teaching.
Mr Blomfield told the House:
“The Government has recognised the
problem, but failed on solutions. The Minister will know that,
for many students, the maintenance loan doesn’t even cover rent.
They fund their studies from part-time work, in hospitality and
retail jobs that have disappeared through the pandemic.
“Her new hardship fund equates to
around £26 per student in England. Or wages for half a shift in a
bar job. Wales and Scotland have provided hardship funding of
around £300 and £80 per student.
“Does the Minister not accept that
students across the country deserve the same support?”
The Minister responded that
Government recognised the challenges for students, and praised
their ‘resilience’.
APPG Students Chair Paul Blomfield,
MP for Sheffield Central, commented after the debate:
“Though I’m pleased that the
Universities Minister came before the House today, I’m
disappointed that she didn’t answer my questions – or provide
solutions to address the serious problems that have been caused
by the pandemic for students.
“The Minister must do more than talk
to students – she must act on their requests and unlock funding
to support lost learning. This generation will pay back the
national debt caused by the pandemic – they must be supported to
succeed through the huge challenges they face.”
ENDS
For more information please contact
Rosy Roche in Paul Blomfield MP’s office: 07825 685300 or
rosy.roche@parliament.uk
Notes to Editors
