Open letter to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education

The following open letter has been sent to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and the Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson CBE.

It was signed by vice-chancellors from the University of Essex; Goldsmiths, University of London; the University of Kent; Royal Holloway, University of London; the University of East Anglia, the University of Sussex and the University of Reading

2 February 2021

Dear Prime Minister, Chancellor and Minister,

Students are studying in the context of a deadly global pandemic. Our universities have sought every opportunity to support our students – delivering high quality, online learning, supporting student welfare and addressing digital deficits. This has stretched financial resources and, even with reprioritisation of spending, will lead to financial deficits. We believe the Government must now play its part in championing fairness between the generations.

The opportunity and wealth gap between the young and old is already unacceptably large – and existing challenges are being amplified by the impact of the pandemic on students and their life chances. We ask the Government to increase its support for this generation of students. With 15 months from initial lockdown through to the end of this academic year, the reduction of an equivalent 15 month interest waiver on student loans, would be seen as a significant gesture and help graduates get off to a better start in the early stages of their careers.

The pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on our students. In some of our universities, demands for hardship funds have increased by over 100%. As a result of the pandemic, students also face extraordinary mental health challenges and 18% of students lack access to a computer, laptop or tablet. Additional government support is an urgent priority.

For a second year in a row, all of our students will be entering into a desperately challenging job market. Our universities want to play a full part in supporting graduates in their transition to work or further study. Government flexibility in the use of the Apprenticeship Levy and funding for bite-size qualifications, aligned to urgent priorities for higher-level skills and flexibility in using other sources of government funding, would make an immediate difference. These measures would also accelerate the positive contribution that universities can make in supporting the national recovery.

In combination, we believe these initiatives would ensure the Government can play its full part in ensuring fairness between generations – and that university students are not forgotten or left behind.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Anthony Forster, Vice-Chancellor, University of Essex
Professor Frances Corner OBE, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London
Professor Karen Cox, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Kent
Professor Paul Layzell, Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London
Professor David Richardson, Vice-Chancellor, University of East Anglia
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sussex
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading