Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about tuition fees and other costs university students are facing.

I completely recognise the difficulties university students and staff have experienced this year. Many students are angry and frustrated, and I believe they have every right to feel this way. The financial pressures on students were a matter of great concern in the last academic year, and that is set to continue this year.

I know students may feel forgotten in the midst of this pandemic and I agree they should be getting far more support. This must include ensuring that mental health support and wider wellbeing services are accessible to all students who need them, including those who are not on campus.

In light of the disruptions to learning and the experience students are receiving, I understand why many students are calling for increased hardship support, including on rent and fees. Some universities have been able to reach agreements on at least partial rent refunds with their students, as have some independent student housing providers. I support calls for all universities and providers to engage with student representatives on this, recognising the clear injustice of students paying for housing and services that they are unable to access.

We also know the current system of tuition fees and the burden of debt is unacceptable, and we must recognise that students are not currently receiving the full experience they deserve. More widely, I am committed to abolishing tuition fees.

I believe the insecurity coming from the struggle to pay bills, find rent and put food on the table will only increase the mental stress resulting from the difficult circumstances around isolation and accommodation lockdowns. I will continue to press the Government to ensure all young people receive the support they deserve.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP

 Peter Dowd MP