Sheffield MP leads call for more student support

Paul Blomfield, who is also chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for students, has written to Michelle Donelan, universities minister .

In it, he highlighted three main issues students are facing during the coronavirus crisis which were: ensuring assessments are fair; refunding those not using their accommodation; and suspending the Universal Credit rules so students who lost part-time jobs can claim.

It follows two full months of disruption after university staff went in strike for three weeks, before all face-to-face teaching was stopped due to coroanvirus.

Mr Blomfield said: "These three issues are causing deep concern among students and need the sort of radical government action we have seen for others.

"We’re simply asking for students to be treated like other part-time workers in relation to lost earnings and for contracts not to be enforced where accommodation has been vacated due to public health advice.

"On exams, we want students to be given the choice on how they will be assessed, recognising the shift to online teaching will have affected them differently.

"There are more than two million university students who urgently need peace of mind on these issues.

“So far, their concerns have been overlooked in this crisis.

“We’re asking the government to give them reassurance without further delay."

There are about 60,000 students studying in Sheffield, one of the highest student populations in the country.

The University of Sheffield, along with some others around the UK, took the decision to introduce a no detriment policy - meaning a student's final grade is at least their average over the year.

Sheffield Hallam University said it also introduced a no detriment policy, but this was different to what students asked for.

Instead of average grades, it gave those in their first year of study automatic progression into their second year and offers extensions to coursework while exams will take place online.

Mr Blomfield suggested two alternatives to help students with exams in his letter, which were: postponing exams until autumn; or resitting the year without further fees and with additional financial support.

The government is yet to respond.