Write to your MP!

We are asking Durham students to join us in raising your voices, and asking the government to take action to put better support in place for students impacted by the pandemic.

You can find our MP letter template here.

We want you to write to your MP about five specific issues:

Financial hardship

The government has pledged a mere £34.56 per student to hardship funding through Covid-19. (SOURCE: Michelle Donelan Housing letter). This is compared to an average of £1621 spent by each student on unused accommodation since the start of the pandemic. (SOURCE: UK university students wasted £1bn in a year on empty accommodation | Student housing | The Guardian)

Graduate job market

Michelle Donelan told us that the government are adding a ‘Skills Toolkit’ to the national careers website, so that students can get ‘work ready’. (SOURCE: Michelle Donelan letter to students, Durham University website). This puts the onus on students to find a job in a market that has been destroyed by the government’s mishandling of the pandemic. We know that it’s not your fault.

Housing

The government has done nothing more than encourage accommodation providers to exercise compassion towards students (SOURCE: Michelle Donelan Housing letter). We urge the government to take action to provide financial support for students who have lost out on money spent on housing that they couldn’t use.

Mental Health

The government continuously praises the resilience of students (SOURCE: Michelle Donelan letter to students, Durham University website), but has done nothing to offer further support to university and local authority services that are completely overwhelmed by the impact of the pandemic.

Support for postgraduate students

The government has stayed quiet on the effect of the pandemic on postgraduate students.

You can choose to write to your MP about all of these issues, or just the one(s) that particularly matter to you.

Who is my MP?

You can find the name of your MP by typing you postcode in the search bar on this website: theyworkforyou.com. You'll also be able to find their contact details.

We are asking Home students to email the MP that represents you in your home constituency.

We are asking International students to email your MP in Durham.

You can find our MP letter template here.

How do I write to my MP?

#1. Include your name and address

MPs are only allowed to respond to issues raised by their own constituents, so make sure you tell them who you are, and that you live within their constituency!

#2. Tell your story

This is your chance to tell someone with the power to change something, why they should listen to you. Let them know how this year has made you feel, the sacrifices you and your family may have had to make, and the impact on your personal wellbeing. MPs receive lots of letters from constituents, so make sure yours stands out by being honest and memorable.

#3. Make your request

Letters are most impactful when they explain the issue, and then ask the MP to do something very specific to fix it. We've given five ideas above about what you could be asking your MP for.

#4. Keep it clear, polite, and concise

Try and make your point as concisely as possible, and make it clear that they could support you by just taking a few clear actions. Remember to be polite, and to thank them for their time and support.

#5. Tell them when you want a response

Let them know when you expect a response – two weeks is ideal. This shows that you're serious about needing their urgent support.