Call for an end to food parcel charges

UNIVERSITIES should not seek to profit from students self-isolating and high charges for food parcels are “outrageous”, an education minister has said.

Michelle Donelan told MPS that around 9,000 students currently have Covid-19 – a cumulative number over the last week – and 68 universities have outbreaks, according to data submitted to the UK Government.

Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, called on the universities minister to put “appropriate pressure” on institutions that had been “extremely draconian” in their treatment of students, including some universities which he said had charged students £18 a day for food parcels.

Ms Donelan said: “Students self-isolating in catered halls should receive free food, whilst other students should receive food which is either free, like many universities including Sheffield Hallam and Edge Hill are doing, all at a price which can be afforded within a student’s budget.

“I have spoken to many universities on this and I’m also writing to make the point.”

She added: “Let me be clear, no university should seek to profit from students self-isolating.

And reported charges of £18 a day for food parcels are quite simply outrageous.”

Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, who highlighted new analysis showing that infection rates on university campuses were up to seven times those in surrounding areas, said the Government should have moved teaching online before the autumn term started.