Encouraged by the government, students took up their university places in September 2020 in good faith, only to face lock-downs, self-isolation and a teaching experience that, if they were lucky, equals the Open University. But at three times the cost.

These young adults will face the burden of paying for our government's Covid-19 response through their taxes for years to come. Yet they will have received an education that will disadvantage them versus those that graduated before the pandemic hit and those that will follow in their wake, once the pandemic is under control. They should not be expected to pay the same. 

Now they face yet another term of on-line teaching. First Year students have missed out on the opportunity to make new friends, join societies and expand their minds, both socially and academically. Many of them have not met a single tutor in person or attended a live lecture. For Second & Third Year students, this will mean a full year without any face-to-face teaching. 

They are caught in limbo, vulnerable, suffering unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety and depression which will affect their life future life-chances.

In addition to tuition fees of £9250, most students are tied-in to accommodation contracts for the full year. To cover these, those least-able to afford it may have taken out student loans upwards of £20,000.

In a time when the government is providing support for all other sectors, through furlough, grants, VAT holidays, etc, our students have not been financially supported. They should not be saddled with a debt to their government for an education they have not received.

Until such time that universities are able to return to providing the face-to-face education these young people deserve and were promised, they should be released from their student loans.