Two-thirds of students have skipped meals because they can’t afford to eat, a survey from the National Union of Students (NUS) has suggested.
More than 3000 students and apprentices in the UK took part in the survey, which the NUS conducted to aid student campaigners in their call for changes to the housing system.
The survey indicates that 62 percent have skipped meals, and 17 percent have visited a foodbank, while 39 percent don’t heat up their homes.
NUS UK President Amira Campbell said: “Students and apprentices across the UK are suffering at the hands of a housing system predicated on exploitation and profit extraction.”
The union said that students face extortionate rents, poor conditions and discriminatory practices, most notably the guarantor scheme.
Many students are required to have a guarantor who owns a property in the UK – if they don’t, they must pay their rent upfront.
This policy creates significant barriers, especially for international students and those from low-income households, NUS said.
Around 30 percent agreed that securing a guarantor caused them “a great deal of stress”, with one respondent saying that they were unable to find a guarantor and therefore had to pay six months rent upfront, leaving them in debt.
Campbell said: “We should be ashamed as a society that we are allowing policies like the requirement for a UK-based guarantor to stand as a barrier in the way of our most vulnerable students having a safe and secure place to live.”
Less than £100 left each month
One in five students said they have less than £100 left each month after paying their rent.
University of Manchester student Abigail, 22, said she has struggled with money throughout her studies.
She said: “Without a part-time income I would have had little to no money for food once I’ve paid for rent, bills and transport costs.
“Now that I’m a postgrad, I don’t receive a separate maintenance loan, so after I pay my tuition fees, I would have less than £120 left per month before paying any rent or bills if I didn’t have an income from work.”
For Kate, 22, who also studies at the University of Manchester, poor housing conditions have become the norm.
She said: “Only a couple of weeks ago, the boiler broke in the flat above me and flooded through our ceiling into our hallway.
“The firemen ended up being called but the maintenance team for my accommodation didn’t deem this an emergency and didn’t come to help with the situation till the following morning.”
Referring to her previous accommodation, Kate also said she “definitely saw rats in the kitchen several times”.
At the moment, her maintenance loan doesn’t cover the cost of her rent, falling short by around a thousand pounds.
She said: “Fortunately, my parents are able to cover this, and I am able to use my savings instead on groceries and transport”, adding: “but I know that I am very lucky in that regard and that many people cannot do this.”
One of her friends, an international student, was threatened with eviction by his landlord because his finance payments were late.
It was only due to Kate and other friends who chipped in to help that the student was able to stay in the house. He paid his friends back in full later.
Feature image credit: Tim Gouw via Unsplash
