Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the financial effect on students in receipt of a student loan who normally top-up their income through work but who can neither work as a result of the covid-19 outbreak nor claim universal credit due to regulations restricting claims for those in receipt of student loans.

No assessment has been made.

Students access fees and living costs support for their higher education courses through various loans and grants funded through the student support system. It is important that Universal Credit does not duplicate this support which is designed for their needs, unlike the social security system. Students cannot normally satisfy the entitlement conditions for Universal Credit. Exceptions are made where students have additional needs that are not met through the student support system, such as being responsible for a child.

Students can continue to look for work where it is safe to do so. There are jobs available in key sectors such as agriculture, distribution and health and social care. Students are encouraged to explore these opportunities and others, where able to do so. The online service Find a Job (www.gov.uk/find-a-job) can be used to search and apply for jobs.