MSP calls on summit

Green MSP Mark Ruskell has called for a summit on student accommodation provision.

The Mid–Scotland and Fife MSP questioned Higher Education Minister, Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the issue which saw around 180 first year students at Stirling University left without campus accommodation just weeks before the start of their course.

Mr Ruskell said:“It’s clear there’s a problem in Stirling and across Scotland with the provision of student accommodation. At Stirling University 180 first year students struggled to find accommodation last year.

“Under 18s cannot rent in the private sector, while care leavers and international students struggle to find guarantors. It’s also often extremely difficult for students with disabilities to find accommodation to meet their needs in the private rented sector.

“These issues are exacerbated by ever increasing rent increases on and around campuses and it’s time that the Scottish Government commissioned the necessary research to establish the scale of the problem across the country.

“I’ve called on the minister to convene a summit, bringing together key stakeholders, including student representatives, to find a long term solution to this recurring issue.”

The Observer reported in August last year how students were informed they would not be allocated accommodation on campus, just two weeks before due to start. Students where instead offered accommodation in Glasgow city centre.