Petition Signed by More Than 200,000 Individuals For Reducing Tuition Fees For University Students

The petition calls for a reduction of tuition fees from £ 9,250 to £ 3,000 in the light of the Covid pandemic disruption.

More than 200,000 signatures have been received for a petition calling for UK university tuition fees to be cut by two-thirds.

The online appeal urges the government to reduce the annual cost from £ 9,250 to £ 3,000 paid by most British university students.

“The creator of the petition, named as M Osman on the dedicated parliamentary website, claims that the current fee is “too high| especially in light of the disruption caused by the pandemic of the coronavirus.

Since Boris Johnson announced that universities would need to move almost all teaching online during England’s third national lockdown, the appeal has received a spike in interest.

Students are split into two groups by the latest guidance on the return to university campuses. Those taking courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, education, or social work will return and be tested twice or for 10 days in self-isolation for the spring term.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street that the Government would look at the arrangements being made for students advised not to return to their accommodation.

What we hope is that they (students) will receive online learning that enables them to continue their degree courses,” he said.”

“But there will be problems with the cost of their accommodation that we will have to look at as a government, and see what arrangements are being made by the universities to address the reasonable concerns of many, many students.”

The petition by M Osman requests ministers to go further and “consider holding debates between MPs and university students in Parliament to raise/discuss issues that affect them.”

Higher education is the key to our nation’s future. Live parliament debates involving MPs and students are essential to allow them to raise the issues of concern, particularly reducing university student fees and other issues that affect their lives, including the cost of accommodation.

University students, postgraduates, those from poorer backgrounds and disabilities, and college students, should be involved in the debates. Covid-19 has left the future economy and job market of the nation uncertain.

“The link to the page has been shared by thousands of Twitter users, with one writing: “Even if this does not work, some government recognition that university students even exist would be great.

“Another tweeted: “During this pandemic, the only time students were mentioned was when the media/govt. They have blamed us for the increase in cases.