The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to double hardship funds for university students to £700m and compensate them for lost teaching and rent.
In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons to the Minister of State for Universities, Daisy Cooper MP, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson, also said that the Government’s proposed return date of 17 May – after many courses have finished – is the “final end of term insult” to students.
Following the debate Daisy Cooper MP commented: “The Minister’s warm words about concern for students cannot mask the fact that the Government is failing to take any real action to support those facing real hardship.
“Many students have been unable to work for months – falling behind on rent and bills, and paying for accommodation they can’t use. Some are relying on food banks to feed themselves and more than half say their mental health has got worse.
“Yet the Government dodged questions today of whether they would increase financial hardship funding in order to reach those students most in need.
“The needs of students have been neglected throughout the pandemic. Robbing a million students of another month of their university education, whilst refusing to offer any real compensation, will feel like a final end of term insult to students from this Government who have treated them as an after thought time and time again.”