Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in the context of the ability of students living in private accommodation to travel to their term time address at any time, for what reason he has suggested to universities that the start of the 2021-22 academic year should be staggered.

As autonomous institutions it is for universities to determine their own provision, including arrangements for the start of term, taking account of any government guidance.

The government will announce further easing of COVID-19 restrictions at Step 4 of the roadmap, including the outcome of the review of social distancing measures, which will be no earlier than 21 June. In light of these developments, we are working with universities to identify a number of scenarios we should consider in planning for the autumn term, taking account of the latest public health advice. We intend to update the higher education guidance in due course to support the return of students for the new academic year.

As outlined in guidance, we expect providers to continue to organise the return of students in a way that minimises the logistical risks of large numbers of students travelling between households at the same time. We encourage providers to work with other local providers to manage the return of students in a way that minimises transport pressures. Providers should apply what they have learned over the course of this academic year to minimise the risk of outbreaks at the start of the new term.