Will the Secretary of State confirm that a proportionate response means students have a right to their courses and face-to-face education? We cannot destroy young people's life chances. Students should self-isolate if ill but whole halls need not be locked down.

I start by declaring an interest: my son is currently at university having to deal with online lessons and my husband teaches in a university. Unfortunately, covid is only one of the challenges facing universities, with a hard Brexit fast approaching. I hope he will join me in recognising the support that has been given by individual universities such as Glasgow, which will refund one month’s rent for any student having to self-isolate in halls, and Dundee University, which is offering free accommodation to international students who have to quarantine. Students and young people should not be blamed for the rise in cases. The vast majority are complying entirely with the guidance. While Scottish students attend university in Scotland for free and therefore are not financially impacted by fees, students in England will pay over £9,000 for a mostly online education. This is clearly the time to reflect on the fee-paying structure of higher education and consider following Scotland’s example of free higher education for all. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues on reducing fees and increasing Government funding to universities? We know that there have been issues in accessing tests in England, and that can be more acute for students, who may not have the ability to travel to testing centres. What steps is he taking to set up on-campus tests for students?

I know that locally, Keele University and Staffordshire University have been working extremely hard during the pandemic to support students. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, despite the challenges we face, everything possible must be done to ensure that students get as enriching an experience as possible this year?

What we have seen this week in two halls of residence in my constituency sums up everything that the Government are getting wrong in handling this crisis: no planning over the summer and no foresight, even though it was obvious that halls of residence would be the main area of risk; confused messages that even the Secretary of State’s own Ministers cannot keep track of, let alone 18-year-olds arriving in our city from different parts of the country; and a woeful lack of quick testing, which could have helped us to avoid this situation. When will his Government get a grip, especially of the testing regime, so that others do not have to face restrictions because he has lost control?

One of the things that has worried a lot of university students is the idea that, if they either test positive or are a contact of someone who tests positive, they might have to self-isolate, even over Christmas, in their university accommodation, and I am glad the Secretary of State confirmed that we will treat university students like everyone else. The regulations yesterday confirm that people can self-isolate not just at their own home, but at the home of a friend or family member, so someone could return to a family home if that was appropriate. To reassure university students, can he confirm that they will be able to do that and will not be trapped in their university accommodation for the period of self-isolation?

There are lots of very worrying reports that young people are scared, confused, isolated and vulnerable to mental ill health, so could the Secretary of State please confirm on what date specifically he knew that some universities were planning to put groups of students in quarantine and on what date specifically he first discussed asking them to put measures in place so that every student had access to mental health support?

Following on from that, for many young people, even in a normal year, this is a difficult time of transition—moving to independent study and living, managing finances, meeting new people, and all in unfamiliar surroundings—and a lot of great work is done by universities and the likes of Student Minds, for example. Could my right hon. Friend say a little bit more about the support that is available, and about how it is being stepped up in universities and can be stepped up to fully support our young people?

The climate of fear deliberately created by Ministers and their advisers has done untold damage to individuals and to the economy as a whole, and has now hit students and universities, with lock-ups of students and students being denied face-to-face education and unable to engage in the activities we normally associate with student life. Yet they are expected to pay the full price for this substandard opportunity in higher education. Does the Secretary of State think it is fair that universities still hold on to the money paid by students when they are not offering the student experience that they promised? Will he clarify whether the direction that students can go home at Christmas was a result of Government guidance or a decision by universities themselves?

What assurances can my right hon. Friend give that efforts are being made to stymie perpetually enforced self-isolation within the student community and ward off financial ruin caused by unsubstantiated scaremongering on things such as closing down Christmas for students?

What concrete action did the Secretary of State put in place over the summer to ensure that all students and staff requiring a covid test will be able to have one?

Surely the right approach is that, despite the virus, we all have to get on with our lives as best we can, including students. Does my right hon. Friend agree that starting the academic year on time was exactly the right decision?

First-year students have already had to endure the Government’s chaotic handling of A-level results and now the predictable campus outbreaks without sufficient testing or support. Will the Secretary of State clarify his point about ending learning early?

Students are paying full fees for now only online courses. The financial burden must be shared with universities, so can he ask the Office for Students to confirm that university bonuses should not be paid out unless fees are lowered?

I declare an interest: my son has started university in the past week. They are saying that this is exactly the same as the A-level debacle. What can he say to them to ensure they have confidence in future education?

I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement. Does he agree that it is right to prioritise education by keeping schools, colleges and universities open?

The Secretary of State presided over the GCSE and A-level fiasco. Can the Secretary of State give a straight answer and guarantee that every student who needs a test will get it?

Training and retraining have never been more important than in our rapidly changing economy. Will my right hon. Friend champion two-year degree courses such as those offered by the University of Buckingham?

In April, a report found universities faced a funding black hole of £2.5 billion in 2020-21 and students graduate with average debt over £50,000. Calls for urgent sector-wide funding have been ignored. Will the Secretary of State act now to ensure online learning is accessible without financial penalty and provide proper funding?

Welcomes the Ministers’ efforts in getting students back to university safely. What steps are being taken to ensure students can remain on campus for the duration of their courses?

If local restrictions require online teaching, will the Government ensure universities are not financially punished?

Welcomes efforts to support university students. What additional work will be done to ensure financial support for those facing hardship?

Concerned about an increased university drop-out rate due to financial hardships. Can the Secretary of State promise that every student will have access to tests for safe travel, especially for Christmas?

What steps are being taken to support international students during these unprecedented times?

Concerned about the needs of disabled students adapting to new learning environments. Will every student have necessary equipment and support for remote learning?

What is the proper role of universities in our education system given the long-term impact on graduate outcomes?

Blames the Government for ignoring evidence warning about risks in face-to-face teaching. Are they putting student and staff safety at risk by upholding a broken model?

Schools, further education colleges and universities in Basildon and Billericay are doing all they can to get positive educational outcomes for young people. Will the Secretary of State confirm that he will devote 100% of his efforts to the education of Britain’s children and young people?

What has been done in tandem with hospitals to ensure fourth-year medical students can get hands-on practice and receive a complete, rounded education?

Will my right hon. Friend give all support necessary to world-class educational establishments like Imperial College London?

Following the Health Secretary’s refusal last week to rule out students not being able to return home for Christmas, does the Education Secretary confirm that students will be able to go home under current rules?

Many parents in Darlington are concerned that their children will not be able to return home for Christmas. Can the Secretary of State ensure that fear does not jeopardise students’ first term?

What specific support will Newcastle University receive to ensure 30,000 students have a supportive, safe educational experience in a city with the second highest coronavirus infection rate?

Will the Secretary of State welcome students at Keele University in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where vice-chancellor reports no significant issues so far?

Why have students been sent to university halls only to be locked in their rooms and receive online teaching, ignoring warnings from unions?

Can the Secretary of State ensure support for employability skills of students during online sessions?

What plans does the Government have to address issues faced by students paying full fees and rent but being put under huge restrictions on education?

Is bringing students back to universities important for face-to-face learning, thus supporting local economies?

Young people have borne a heavy burden throughout the pandemic: financially, emotionally, through the loss of education, and now with a disruptive return to university. Will the Secretary of State use his position to advocate that young people should not also bear the burden of paying for this crisis through fees and accommodation costs for the rest of their lives?

Mr Speaker, may I start by thanking you for getting all the way through this call list to me, at the bottom of the class? Will the Secretary of State inject some positivity into the Chamber? Going to university is the most amazing opportunity. Yes, it will be different this year, but our young people are durable and flexible, and they will take the opportunity that is afforded to them in the way that generations before them have. Will he conclude by sending out a message that these young people will power our future generations and economy through these very difficult times?

Thank you, Mr Speaker —much appreciated. I strongly welcome today’s remarkable announcement on skills, which we should all celebrate, and I thank my right hon Friend, and the Universities Minister, for the work that they are doing on universities. There are 3,000 students, roughly, in lockdown at the moment. All I ask of my right hon Friend is that if that number grows dramatically—to 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000—he review the current policy, which he set out today. May I also ask my right hon Friend specifically about a long-term issue that has been exposed by the coronavirus? Of state school pupils, 45% go on to higher education; of pupils on free school meals, it is 26%; and of white working-class boys on free school meals, it is just 13%. What are my right Friend, and the Universities Minister, doing to reverse that and to ensure that more white working-class boys and girls go to university?