Higher Education: New and Returning Students
Debate between Lord Wood of Anfield and Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)
My Lords, as I say, we have updated the guidance to students with advice on returning to universities this week. As was announced in February, students and HE providers will be given a week’s notice of any further easing of restrictions as it affects them. This is a changing situation with the pandemic. We understand the frustrations people face, but we are grateful to them for their forbearance.
Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)
My Lords, surveys suggest that over a fifth of university students say they would need extra teaching over the summer—which I believe many of them are being offered—to catch up on lessons, tutorials and classes they may have fallen behind on over the course of the year. Will the Government provide additional financial support for students who may need to study beyond the normal academic year?
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)
My Lords, such decisions are for universities, as autonomous institutions, to make in line with the guidance we have set out this week.