← Back to House of Commons Debates
Support for University Students: Covid-19
03 February 2021
Lead MP
Michelle Donelan
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSEducationForeign AffairsMental Health
Other Contributors: 40
At a Glance
Michelle Donelan raised concerns about support for university students: covid-19 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister of State for Universities, Michelle Donelan, acknowledged the difficulties students have faced during the pandemic. She highlighted the government's efforts to provide financial support through £256 million in student premium money and additional funding of £70 million announced recently, bringing the total available funding to £70 million for this year. This fund aims to help address hardship issues such as mental health challenges, digital poverty, and accommodation costs faced by students who are unable to return to university due to pandemic restrictions. The minister also mentioned ongoing work with universities on mental health initiatives and a commitment to not reassessing student maintenance loan entitlements if they continue incurring accommodation costs away from home.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
Question
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by students, Paul Blomfield questioned the adequacy of the hardship funding compared to other regions. He highlighted issues with accommodation rent refunds and asked for measures addressing learning loss and professional qualification damage.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan acknowledged these challenges and noted that £70 million has been allocated specifically to assist affected students, complementing the existing support packages. She emphasised the government's encouragement of rent refunds from providers and stressed ongoing efforts to ensure students are not left in hardship due to pandemic disruptions.
Robert Halfon
Con
Southend West
Question
Expressing appreciation for the minister’s actions, Robert Halfon suggested reducing bureaucratic barriers so that students experiencing subpar blended learning can seek compensation from their universities and the Office for Students. He also asked about support for part-time distance learners and degree apprenticeships.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan confirmed the government's commitment to reducing bureaucracy in higher education while aiming to increase flexibility, particularly focusing on boosting the number of degree apprenticeships to improve social mobility and meet skills needs.
Kate Green
Lab
Beddington
Question
Kate Green thanked her hon. Friend Paul Blomfield for raising the issue of student support during the pandemic. She questioned whether the £50 million was entirely new money and if it amounted to around £26 per student in England, compared to an additional £300 per student provided by the Labour Government in Wales. She also asked about discussions with private landlords regarding accommodation costs, postgraduate student support, digital access issues, reasonable adjustments for disabled students, and mental health services.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan confirmed that the £50 million was new money and disagreed with breaking it down per student as it is dedicated to those in most need. She noted that this funding covered until the end of the financial year. The Minister also mentioned ongoing reviews on digital poverty, prioritising mental health services through Student Space, and highlighted her commitment to safeguarding opportunities for young people.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Fylde
Question
Anthony Mangnall welcomed the rent rebates awarded to students but expressed concern that many feel short-changed. He asked if more pressure should be put on universities to meet educational requirements and deliver value for money.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan agreed, stating that universities were urged to maintain quality education. She mentioned that the Office for Students (OfS) was monitoring this.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
Question
Carol Monaghan highlighted NUS survey findings showing two thirds of students are worried about rent payments, noting that £50 million does not cover a month's rent arrears. She asked if the Government would provide additional funding for rent rebates and similar measures as in Scotland.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan disagreed with free tuition fees, arguing they wouldn't help students today. Instead, she noted the £70 million support spread over three months, urging accommodation providers to refund students.
Chris Green
Con
Heywood and Middleton
Question
Chris Green praised the University of Bolton for providing campus access, laptops, hot food deliveries, bicycles, a no-academic detriment policy, and free post-graduation practicals. He asked if this sets a standard.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan thanked her hon. Friend for highlighting Bolton’s efforts and agreed it was setting a standard.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Question
Daisy Cooper questioned the size of the £50 million support, noting NUS estimates that rent arrears alone could amount to £60 million. She asked about consultations with students and representative bodies.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan stated this hardship fund is on top of £256 million unlocked for universities and higher education providers this academic year. The money does not provide a blanket rent rebate, but she regularly meets students to ensure their needs are met.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
Caroline Nokes asked about pressure being brought to bear on universities to ensure quantity and quality of education for online classes.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan agreed that online does not have to mean inferior, stating that universities have invested in innovative tuition. She noted the Office for Students monitors this.
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Question
Rushanara Ali raised concerns about part-time workers among students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, citing an NUS survey showing 9% relying on foodbanks. She asked for a commitment to increase support.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan agreed that every student should thrive and mentioned the £256 million funding for this academic year. The Minister stated they are actively monitoring the impact of this money.
David Evennett
Con
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Question
David Evennett asked about confidence in covid-secure teaching and learning environments for returning students, as well as reducing numbers of people travelling to and from campus.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan confirmed that a small cohort was being asked to return due to concerns over mass movement and community transmission. She mentioned weekly testing of students and staff.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Question
Justin Madders discussed the situation of his constituents who should be away at university but are unable to use their accommodation, questioning why they should continue paying rent.
Minister reply
Michelle Donelan expressed sympathy for the hon. Member’s child, noting that this Government are committed to prioritising education and getting students back as quickly as possible in line with the road map announced by the Prime Minister last week.
Selaine Saxby
Lib Dem
North Devon
Question
Many students in my North Devon constituency are facing additional costs for alternative accommodation, loss of employment or to access their university teaching online. Does my hon. Friend agree that the extra £70 million of funding that has been made available will deliver real, tangible help for students who are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic?
Minister reply
Absolutely; I completely agree. That is exactly why we unlocked £256 million for this academic year, why we gave £20 million in December and why we have announced £50 million now. This will put money into the pockets of the students who are most in need as a result of the pandemic.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Birkenhead
Question
My constituents who are students have faced significant challenges with private landlords, digital access and learning generally. That is why my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield) is absolutely right to ask this urgent question—thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting it—and why my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) is right to say that students feel utterly forgotten. Will the Minister tell us what steps she is taking to actually listen to the experiences of students through this pandemic?
Minister reply
It is vital that we listen to the experiences of students. That is why I regularly meet the NUS, and student unions in universities up and down the country. I also regularly meet the Office for Students student panel, and engage with students on a range of student media and chat forums. I will continue to do so because students need to be at the heart of our policy making and decision making, and it is their futures that we need to safeguard.
Julie Marson
Con
Hertford and Stortford
Question
I thank my hon. Friend for her statement and I welcome the £70 million to alleviate student hardship. I have been contacted by several students in Hertford and Stortford about the financial struggles they face. Can my hon. Friend reaffirm what she has previously said—that universities should treat students with the care and consideration they deserve during this difficult time? What does she advise students to do if that should not seem to be the case?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is spot on: universities do have a duty of care, and it is important that they are communicating with and looking after the wellbeing of students during this challenging time. Useful information and best practice have been circulated by Universities UK and the Office for Students. If a student really does have a concern, they should raise it directly with their university, go through the complaints process and then potentially escalate it to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley North
Question
Here in South Yorkshire, our two world-leading universities are doing everything they can to support students through the crisis. But writing in The Yorkshire Post today, the vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University rightly calls for a “massive increase” in the hardship payment to up to £200 million to help those students who are struggling. What guarantees can the Minister give that further help for these disadvantaged students is on the way?
Minister reply
As I have said many times today, this support is available until April. We are actively monitoring the impact on students, to ensure that every student who needs the help can get it and that they have that money in their pockets, so that they do not face challenges as the pandemic progresses.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Question
The Government set the maximum amount that universities can charge for tuition fees during normal times. Is it not therefore the responsibility of Government to set the maximum amount that universities can charge during this covid-19 period, when students are not getting the education or the experience they have paid for because of Government restrictions?
Minister reply
We will continue to monitor the situation. However, it is important to note that reducing tuition fees would not put money into students’ pockets here and now, and 50% of students do not pay back their loaned amount. What is important is ensuring that students get the quantity, the quality and the accessibility of tuition in these really difficult and challenging times.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Question
A lot of students in Selly Oak live in private houses in multiple occupation, as well as purpose-built accommodation. The Guild of Students is calling for full rent rebates until the Government deem it safe to return to university and a no-penalty release from existing tenancy contracts. Does the Minister agree?
Minister reply
The Prime Minister announced a road map for unlocking society and our education the other week, including getting students back from 8 March if the health information allows it; that is our priority. We urge those students who are suffering financially because they are in private accommodation and unable to access refunds to contact their university, so that they can apply for the hardship funding that we have given.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
I welcome the Government’s commitment of £70 million to support students impacted by this lockdown. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as the vaccine is rolled out and we are able to ease restrictions, nothing is more important than getting our undergraduates back to their universities?
Minister reply
We made education a priority, which includes higher education, so that students do not have to put their academic journeys or their lives on hold, and we kept a proportion of face-to-face learning going for as long as we could. I agree with my hon. Friend: I want university students back as soon as it is safe to do so, and we have a road map laid out by the Prime Minister last week to enable us to do that.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Question
I declare an interest, as vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary university group. Students have had a dreadful time throughout this pandemic, and they have had it from all sides. On accommodation in particular, I commend the work of the Stirling students’ union and Stirling University. Stirling University has taken the financial hit from students for empty university accommodation. What discussions has the Minister had with universities and the devolved Administrations to provide additional funding to universities to recognise the financial hit that they have taken so that students do not need to?
Minister reply
Education is of course devolved, but I meet on a weekly basis with my counterpart in Scotland, Minister Lochhead. We discuss the issue of accommodation almost every week, and the other pressures that students are facing, in order to have a joined-up and co-ordinated approach that is really getting to the heart of the problems that universities and students are facing.
Gareth Bacon
Con
Orpington
Question
The £70 million support fund for students facing financial difficulties is very welcome, and I congratulate Ministers on once again stepping in to protect those most in need. However, a number of my Orpington constituents have told me how their studies have been drastically impacted by the pandemic. Will my hon. Friend update the House on what discussions have been held with universities about full or partial refunds for tuition and accommodation fees in this academic year?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend: this is a really difficult and challenging time for students, and my heart goes out to all of them. We as a Government set the maximum tuition fee level, not the minimum, and it is up to universities to decide what to charge. Every single one of them has continued to charge the maximum during this pandemic, and in return we have said that we expect the quantity, quality and accessibility of provision to be there. If a student feels that it is not, there is a process whereby they can make a formal complaint to their university, and if the issue is still not resolved, they can take it to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, which can potentially lead to a full or partial refund.
Pontypridd
Question
I echo the excellent point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green): it is absolutely vital that no student is disadvantaged if they choose to study outside of their home country. Yet the UK Government’s recent £50 million extension designed to support students will actually leave Welsh students studying in England significantly worse off than English students studying in Wales. As a Member representing an area in Wales, I have concerns both for students at the local University of South Wales campus here in Pontypridd and constituents who are now studying across the UK. Will the Minister confirm exactly what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government about supporting Welsh students who are studying in England?
Minister reply
Just to clarify, the hardship funding, at every stage, is applicable to international students, students from Wales who study here in England, and indeed Scottish students studying in England. I am happy to clarify that for all the hon. Lady’s constituents who may be studying at an English university.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Question
I have been seeking to support a number of students in my constituency who are doing as they have been asked and staying at home but find themselves locked into tenancy agreements and paying rent on accommodation they cannot use. While it is welcome that some universities and accommodation providers are providing partial rebates to students, too many still are not. Will the Minister join me in urging all those accommodation providers to show some flexibility and provide a partial rent rebate wherever possible?
Minister reply
Absolutely; I totally agree with my hon. Friend. This is a difficult time for students, and we do urge all providers of university accommodation to give a partial refund for this period in which students cannot all access their accommodation. A few that have done this so far include Warwick, Nottingham, Sheffield, LSE and Exeter—the list goes on—but we want others to contribute too.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
I was delighted to hear that the Minister has regular discussions with the devolved Education Ministers, because although it is devolved, higher education is an area where there is an interchange of students from different parts of the UK. Can she assure me that in these discussions they will look at every aspect of student life that has been detrimentally impacted by the pandemic, including mental health, finances, and the disruption to their academic results?
Minister reply
In every conversation that I have with my counterparts in the DAs, we certainly do look at all the issues affecting students, and also universities, at this difficult time.
Robert Largan
Con
High Peak
Question
Welcomes the £50 million funding for universities and asks if it will focus on support for disadvantaged students from High Peak.
Minister reply
Confirms that the fund is aimed at helping disadvantaged students who have been hit hard by the pandemic.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
Praises student healthcare workers' efforts during the pandemic and asks for a reduction in their debt to acknowledge their contribution.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the students’ contributions but states there are no current plans to reimburse fees.
Mark Harper
Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Question
Asks about monitoring of teaching quality during the pandemic by the Office for Students.
Minister reply
Explains that the quality of provision is being monitored, including by the Office for Students.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Expresses concern about students feeling abandoned and suggests increasing hardship funds to £700 million.
Minister reply
Explains that the current funding is a temporary measure, adding it is more than what was done in Wales.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Welcomes additional funds but expresses concerns about students facing high accommodation costs.
Minister reply
Stresses the priority of supporting those most impacted by the pandemic and offers to continue discussions.
Ian Paisley Jnr
DUP
North Antrim
Question
Praises student resilience during the pandemic and asks for debt cancellation.
Minister reply
Suggests focusing on immediate support rather than removing debt, which is not helpful in the current context.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
Welcomes support package and asks about mental health and pastoral support for students.
Minister reply
Reiterates importance of mental health provision, highlighting the £3 million Student Space project launched by the Government.
Diane Abbott
Ind
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Question
Asks if the Government will investigate whether students are receiving full value for their fees.
Minister reply
Explains that individual cases can be taken up with the Office for Students, while acknowledging systemic issues.
David Johnston
Con
Penrith and The Border
Question
Welcomes additional funding but suggests universities need to improve financial resilience post-pandemic.
Minister reply
States that universities are working hard to manage costs, with a report showing the sector is generally healthy.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
Question
Highlights support for destitute overseas students and asks about their duty of care.
Minister reply
Confirms that hardship funds can be used to assist international students as well, urging them to seek help from universities.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
Welcomes the extra £50 million and calls for universities to give rebates on fees where students are not getting the quality of teaching they paid for.
Minister reply
Stated that consumer law has not changed and urged providers to review whether students have received promised teaching, referencing CMA guidance.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Question
Asks the Minister to arrange with landlords for students to leave or renegotiate contracts and suggests introducing means-tested maintenance grants.
Minister reply
Encourages accommodation providers to be flexible and highlighted that allocated hardship funding will help those in difficulty.
Question
Questions the steps being taken to ensure additional support is focused on students from Blackpool who are attending university.
Minister reply
Explained that universities, receiving funds through the Office for Students, will be best placed to make decisions about student hardship.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
Asks the Government to establish a covid student learning remediation fund to address lost learning due to the pandemic.
Minister reply
States that she is working with higher education sector through weekly taskforce meetings to ensure students graduate on time and at a world-class level.
Question
Inquires about the same expectations for quality, quantity and accessibility as seen in the Open University's virtual provision.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of adhering to these standards and praises the flexibility and accessibility offered by universities through challenging times.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Question
Inquires about further support for Welsh students in the Budget and co-ordination with the Welsh Government.
Minister reply
States she works closely with her Welsh counterpart but cannot comment on the Budget.
Shadow Comment
Paul Blomfield
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Minister, Paul Blomfield, criticised the government for failing to provide adequate support despite recognising students' difficulties. He highlighted that many students struggle even with maintenance loans and are unable to work due to job losses in sectors like hospitality and retail. The shadow pointed out that funding of £26 per student falls short compared to other regions providing around £300 and £80 per student respectively. He raised concerns about the inequity in rent refunds for unused accommodation and called for a learning remediation fund due to lost teaching opportunities and access to facilities.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.