Dear candidate, 

As the Students’ Guild, we represent the University’s students and there are now over 20,000 students (UK and EU) eligible to vote in this election. We are writing to you to highlight their current needs and issues.

The Students’ Guild has undertaken insights work to understand the priorities of today’s students, our surveying shows the following areas are of most concern right now:

• Cost of Living 
• Housing 
• Safety

This letter is an invitation for you consider the impacts of these issues on the student community and how you might be able to create a better experience for students should you be elected. We warmly invite you to come and meet with students and student leaders after the elections to discuss these further. 

• What will you be doing to support students through the cost of living crisis so that they can have the educational experience they deserve? 
• How will you enforce regulations so that students don’t have to suffer living in overpriced damp and mouldy houses? 
• How will you ensure that students can enjoy Exeter’s nightlife without fear for their safety?

Cost of Living

The cost of living crisis is having a hugely detrimental impact on students. Seemingly forgotten by the Government, so many of the schemes including the energy bill grants have not been readily available or passed onto students. This combined with the fact that the threshold for the maximum maintenance grant has not been adjusted since 2008 has left many students struggling to pay for rent and bills and forcing them into skipping teaching to take up paid work. 

Housing

Lacking financial help from Government, many students feel they cannot afford to heat their houses, leading to further problems of damp and mould which have not always been addressed by landlords. This can lead to detrimental effects on health and wellbeing, and in the most severe cases can tragically result in death. There is also anxiety around the availability of student accommodation, particularly the pressure to rush into signing contracts only a few weeks into the academic year (sometimes without seeing the property). 

Safety 

Student safety has become a topic of concern amongst the student body due to the recent rise in the number of incidents of drink spiking and sexual violence in the city – issues which affect all Exeter residents. The University subsidised Night Bus is a very positive introduction but more needs to be done to ensure students can enjoy Exeter’s nightlife without fear of their safety. Students contribute a huge amount to the Night Time Economy in Exeter and deserve to feel safe and happy when they are out. 

Thank you for your consideration of these matters. 

University of Exeter Students' Guild

(April 2023)

 

The University of Exeter Students’ Guild is an independent organisation and charity which is the students’ union for the University of Exeter’s students who are our members. As a charity, we remain politically independent. We are writing to all candidates in the Exeter City Council Election to convey the top issues our members are facing. You can find more information about us on our website.