Support for University Students: Covid-19 Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Support for University Students: Covid-19

Stephen Timms Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd February 2021

(3 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan
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Our information shows that the sector has been working hard and taking strong action to control costs, protect its cashflow and put in place contingency loan facilities to deal with the pandemic. A recent report in December by the Office for Students showed that the sector in aggregate was in fact healthy.

Stephen Timms Portrait Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab) [V]
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Newham Community Project in my constituency is supporting 1,700 destitute overseas students with weekly food parcels. Those students have paid us a great compliment by choosing Britain to provide them with education and many of them have paid £12,000 a year or more in fees; they should not now be left now without food. Who has the duty of care for those overseas students?

Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan
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We know that the pandemic has had an impact on student finances, including those of international students. Let me be clear: no students, no matter their origin, should be left in hardship. That is why the £256 million, the £20 million in December and the £50 million that we announced yesterday can be used for international students. I urge any students who find themselves in hardship to go to their university and seek help.