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<p>This has been a very difficult time for students, and we urge universities and
private landlords to review their accommodation policies to ensure that they are fair,
clear and have the interests of students at heart.</p><p>The government plays no role
in the provision of student residential accommodation. Universities and private accommodation
providers are autonomous and are responsible for setting their own rent agreements.
Whether a student is entitled to a refund or to an early release from their contract
will depend on the specific contractual arrangements between them and their higher
education (HE) provider.</p><p>We recognise that, in these exceptional circumstances,
some students may face financial hardship. The department has worked with the Office
for Students (OfS) to clarify that HE providers are able to use existing funds, worth
around £256 million for the 2020/21 academic year, towards hardship support. We have
also made an additional £70 million of student hardship funding available to HE providers
this financial year.</p><p>HE providers will have flexibility in how they distribute
the funding to students, in a way that will best prioritise those in greatest need.
Support might include help for students facing additional costs arising from having
to maintain accommodation in more than one location. The funding can be distributed
to a wide population of students, including postgraduates (whether taught or research)
and international students. We will continue to monitor the situation to look at what
impact this funding is having.</p><p>The department has also provided £50,000 in funding
to help set up the Civic University Network. This funding and the network will help
to improve the relationship between universities and their communities and will facilitate
sharing of good practice between HE institutions.</p><p>Tenants, including student
renters, should continue to pay rent and abide by all other terms of their tenancy
agreement to the best of their ability. Where tenants can pay the rent as normal,
they should do so. Tenants who are unable to do so should speak to their landlord
at the earliest opportunity.</p><p>There is further information for tenants and landlords
in the context of COVID-19, available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities</a>.</p><p>The
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on consumer contracts,
cancellation and refunds affected by COVID-19: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-consumer-contracts-cancellation-and-refunds"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cma-to-investigate-concerns-about-cancellation-policies-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-consumer-contracts-cancellation-and-refunds</a>.
This guidance sets out the CMA’s view on how the law operates to help consumers understand
their rights and help businesses treat their customers fairly.</p><p>Students may
be entitled to refunds from certain accommodation providers. depending on the terms
of their contract and their particular circumstances. Organisations such as Citizens
Advice offer a free service, providing information and support.</p><p>Protecting student
and staff wellbeing is vital - it is important students can still access the mental
health and wellbeing support they need. We recognise that many students are facing
additional mental health challenges due to the disruption and uncertainty caused by
the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>We expect HE providers to continue to support their students,
which has included making services accessible from a distance. We encourage students
to stay in touch with their provider’s student support and welfare teams as these
services are likely to continue to be an important source of support. Many providers
have bolstered their existing mental health services, and adapted delivery mechanisms
including reaching out to students who may be more vulnerable.</p><p>I have engaged
with universities on this issue and I have written to Vice Chancellors on numerous
occasions, outlining that student welfare should be prioritised. I have also convened
a working group of representatives from the higher education and health sectors to
specifically address the current and pressing issues that students are facing during
the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>My hon. Friend, the Minister for Children and Families,
and I have convened the Mental Health in Education Action Group. This new group, which
met for the first time on 8 March, will look at the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak
on the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people, and staff in nurseries,
schools, colleges and universities.</p><p>We have worked with the OfS to provide Student
Space, which has been funded by up to £3 million by the OfS. Student Space is a mental
health and wellbeing platform designed to bridge any gaps in support for students
arising from this unprecedented situation and is designed to work alongside existing
services. Ensuring that students have access to quality mental health support is my
top priority, which is why I asked the OfS to look at extending the platform. I am
delighted they have been able to extend the platform to support students for the whole
2020/21 academic year, because no student should be left behind at this challenging
time. This resource provides dedicated one-to-one phone, text and web chat facilities
as well as a collaborative online platform providing vital mental health and wellbeing
resources.</p><p>Furthermore, we have asked the OfS to allocate £15 million towards
student mental health in the 2021/22 academic year through proposed reforms to Strategic
Priorities grant funding, to help address the challenges to student mental health
posed by the transition to university, given the increasing demand for mental health
services. This will target those students in greatest need of such services, including
vulnerable groups and hard to reach students.</p><p>Since the start of the COVID-19
outbreak the government has provided over £10 million to leading mental health charities
including charities like Young Minds and Place 2 Be, which specifically support the
mental health of young people.</p><p>Students struggling with their mental health
can access services through the GP they are registered with, or they can register
temporarily with a GP closer to their current location if needed: <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/how-do-i-register-as-a-temporary-resident-with-a-gp/"
target="_blank">https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/how-do-i-register-as-a-temporary-resident-with-a-gp/</a>,
Students can also access online resources from the NHS, Public Health England via
the Every Mind Matters website and the mental health charity Mind: <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/"
target="_blank">https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/</a>.</p>
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