Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the impact on the finances of UK universities of students being based at home and not using university accommodation for the (1) current academic year, and (2) 2020/21 academic year. [T]

As my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have made clear, the government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID-19.

According to the latest statistics published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, total sector income from residential operations (excluding catering and conferencing operations) was £1.92 billion in 2018/19. This represents nearly 5% of total income for the UK higher education sector, although this figure varies across providers.

The government has announced a range of measures to protect students and the higher education sector from the impact of coronavirus, bringing together collective action from the government and sector organisations. Details are on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students.