Support for University Students: Covid-19

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Monday 8th February 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op) [V]]

Following on from the question of the noble Earl, Lord Sandwich, does the Minister agree that student accommodation providers that are still charging students rent when they are having to work from home are completely wrong? There is no point in just encouraging them to take action. What action are the Government taking to stop this exploitation?

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

My Lords, the Government do not run the accommodation for students, but we do applaud those universities and institutions that have taken action and encourage others to do the same. For commercial tenancies the Government have, as the noble Lord will know, made a package of financial support available to tenants, but where they can continue to pay the rent they should do so. We encourage all landlords to take a pragmatic and compassionate approach during this pandemic.