The funding was welcomed by Universities UK, the body that represents the UK’s universities, as a positive sign, but they have also called for additional funding to help students catch-up from lost time and bolster mental health support.

The announcement comes amid rent strikes occurring up and down the country, as students protest having to pay rent for accommodation they have no access to, amid the national lockdown announced on 4th January.

Universities have responded by offering rent rebates for students in university-owned accommodation, with the University of Birmingham’s (UoB) rebate extended to 7th March last week. The Guild Welfare and Community Officer, Charlotte Minter, has also drafted letters to help students communicate with landlords, while talking to local MPs about the issues, including Selly Oak’s representative, Steve McCabe.

McCabe asked Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan about her response to the Guild’s call for rent rebates for students in private accommodation and no-penalty release from tenancy contracts. She responded that ‘students suffering financially because they were in private accommodation and unable to access refunds, we would urge them to contact their university so they could apply for this hardship funding.’

Donelan announced the £50m funding via a letter to students posted on her twitter page. She said ‘I want to thank you for the patience and dedication you have shown,’ and went on to say ‘we will continue to monitor the situation going forward and look at what impact this funding is having.’

The funding is also intended to support students facing difficulties with online learning, as most students will not have on-campus teaching until at least 8th March. In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Universities Minister, seven vice-chancellors claimed that ‘18% of students lack access to a computer, laptop or tablet.’

Although NUS President, Larissa Kennedy, described the additional funding as a ‘win,’ she also admitted it was ‘the equivalent of putting a plaster on a broken leg.’ The open letter from the vice-chancellors echoed this message, saying ‘demands for hardship funds have increased by over 100%.’

While this funding will be a short-term relief to universities desperate to support their students, only time will tell if it will be enough to help everyone who needs it.

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