Update from Ewan: Open letter to the UK Government 

Thursday 18-02-2021 - 16:36
Ewan update

I know that many students are facing significant financial burdens because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many losing out on the part-time and summer work that would otherwise enable them to financially support themselves. 

Given the current guidance for students to stay at home, many of you are now also unfairly paying for accommodation that you are not currently living in.  

What have we done so far? 

Last month, your SU President Seun Twins co-signed a letter with Durham City MP Mary Foy asking PBSA providers and landlords to show flexibility with rent refunds, rebates and contract cancellations.  

Since then, we have been pushing PBSA providers to respond to the letter and grading their responses. But with private landlords, we understand that there are often limitations to how flexible they can be. 

The Government needs to step in and provide support… 

In recognition of this, we have written an open letter addressed to the UK Government on behalf of Durham Students’ Union with support from the City of Durham Parish Council. 

The letter outlines the need for the government to either directly offer rent rebates to students or provide greater support to student landlords so that they may exhibit greater flexibility in offering rent reductions and contract cancellations. 

Alongside our open letter, Stuart Corbridge, Vice Chancellor and Warden of Durham University, has written a letter asking the government to “release funds to support this large body of student renters” and expressing support for our campaign. 

We are resolute in our joint stance that without firm and decisive intervention by the UK government, students are set to become one of the forgotten victims of the pandemic. 

How can you get involved? 

We have already received the support of the Durham City MP in pushing the government to better support students, but we need more MPs to acknowledge this problem and apply the pressure. As such, we encourage you to use our template letter to contact your local MP and explain the need for action on private student housing. 

We also hope for more local estate agents to sign our open letter in support of students. If your agency has not signed our letter, please make them aware of it and ask them to support the letter by contacting me at su.welflib@durham.ac.uk  

Further support 

If you’re wanting to contact your landlord to ask for rent reductions, alternative payment plans or tenancy terminations, but are unsure of how to go about doing so, we’ve put together a template email for you to use.

And remember, for any further support or guidance on housing, the SU Advice Service is here for you. See bellow.
 

Categories:

Welfare and Liberation Officer

Related Tags :

Welfare and Liberation Officer, Ewan Swift, Housing, Covid-19, pandemic,

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