Refund university students, say MPs

MINISTERS should refund students who have missed out on their university education because of coronavirus, MPs urge today.

The Commons petitions committee called on the Government to provide emergency funding to universities to support them in refunding eligible students.

More than 347,000 people signed a petition calling for the Government to reimburse all students for this year’s fees due to the impact of strikes and Covid-19.

The MPs also heard evidence on how the outbreak has particularly impacted disadvantaged students.

Just 7 per cent of surveyed students felt satisfied or very satisfied with the current quality of their education.

Catherine McKinnell, chairman of the committee, said that a ‘blanket refund’ for all students is not necessarily required but ‘the Government has a role in ensuring any student whose university experience has fallen short is compensated’.