Latest news with #NationalUnionofStudents
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Frankie Boyle backs demonstration in Glasgow this weekend
The comedian and the former first minister are among those supporting the Stand Up to Racism rally to mark World Refugee Day. Refugee rights organisations, the STUC trade union federation, eight national unions, the National Union of Students, anti-war activists and advocacy groups are gathering for a rally, followed by a march and then an event in the Old Fruitmarket on Saturday. (Image: SRC) READ NEXT: Thousands expected for march and rally to support refugees in Glasgow Among the speakers will be Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer. He said: 'With the rise of the far right and Reform in the UK, fascist ideas once relegated to the gutter are treated as mainstream ideas, feted by the media. 'We have no alternative but to fight back, to counter every hate-filled racist lie and to defend our communities. We have won before and will do so again, but I feel the stakes have never been higher.' Scottish singer Iona Fyfe will be performing at the Old Fruitmarket among other acts. The organisers say the demonstration calls for' an end to the scapegoating of refugees and migrants, safe routes for those seeking asylum, an end to the deportations the Labour government is ramping up and to lift the ban that prevents asylum seekers from working'. Mohammad Asif, Afghan Human Rights Foundation director, said: 'Refugees are the direct result of injustice and illegal wars and illegal invasions. 'We are the victims of profound injustices. We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, with the same hopes and ambitions. 'The far right are attempting to seize the 'grooming gangs' issue to stir up Islamophobia, racism and division and we need to come together to fight this cancer in our society.' READ NEXT:Police complain Sheku Bayoh sign at Kelvingrove Museum is 'biased' Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing, said: 'The Prime Ministers' recent anti-immigration rhetoric echoes the far right—blaming refugees and migrants for the consequences of political failure. 'Migrants are not the problem. They are our family members, our friends, neighbours, co-workers, carers, and part of the communities that keep this country going. 'This government could fix the housing crisis, fund public services, and support working people—but instead, it scapegoats the vulnerable and fans the flames of racism. We will stand united to resist this politics of fear and division.'
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Student union slams Starmer over 'racist' white paper
She noted: 'We think that this is definitely going to lead to the downfall of the education sector because we are going to be seeing a snowball effect, especially with immigration restrictions tightening around students and fewer being recruited into our education system. 'We're going to see a reduction in numbers that will result in cuts being announced in universities.' Amidst tightening immigration controls, the total number of international students at Scottish universities dropped by 12% between 2022/23 and 2023/24, from 83,975 to 73,915. And now, the situation is expected to worsen. Viswanathan has been president of NUS Scotland since last summer. (Image: National Union of Students) Universities could face an foreign student tariff under the proposals laid out in the government's white paper. This tax could prove disastrous for institutions like St Andrews or Edinburgh, where fee-paying international students make up more than 40% of the student bodies. Viswanathan also hit out at Keir Starmer's island of strangers' comment, which was widely compared to 'racialist' Enoch Powell's infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech. On Monday, the Prime Minister told reporters: 'In a diverse nation like ours… these rules become even more important. Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together.' Viswanathan said: 'I was shocked that his speech was similar to Powell's, and that he could stoop so low.' Keir Starmer's turn of phrase has been compared to that of Enoch Powell. (Image: PA) The graduate route visa is another key target in the government's plan to reduce net migration. The graduate visa currently allows students enrolled in degree programmes to apply for a two year extension in which to find employment. Now, Labour wants to reduce the time students have on this visa to 18 months. Viswanathan, who noted that students already have to pay around £3,000 in visa fees, added: 'With respect to the graduate route being available, students are paying anyway to avail that opportunity. 'The tone around the graduate visa being abused is just not morally incorrect, but it is also politically and financially incorrect. The amount of the contributions that international students are making in the sector is significant. Viswanathan, the first woman of colour to serve as NUS Scotland president, told The Herald: 'Mentioning that the system is being abused just puts the UK on the back seat on league tables. 'It is not a wise statement, it is just very racist, anti migrant rhetoric that Labour is using to keep their position stable among the general British public who do believe that migrants are 'stealing their jobs'. They are trying to play by the Reform label.' Net migration decreased by 178,000 between 2023 and to a 2023 study, international students generate £41.9b for the UK economy every year, an average of £560 per resident. Viswanathan, who was born in India, said the UK can often be unwelcoming to people who emigrate from other parts of the world. She remarked: 'When we look at representation from a demographic point of view, we do not see a lot of 'global south' faces or faces from the east represented a lot in the sector. 'I don't think the general public realize that migrants come in every shape, size, and color. I think for them, the migrants are black and brown people coming in 'to steal their jobs'. 'I definitely did not feel welcome when I arrived in the UK. My experience was absolutely horrible. There were almost 100 of us standing in the immigration line with only two counters open. They were asking really intrusive questions about our courses, about our lives, about our bank account.' More views on this issue: Alison Rowat: As border controls tighten the debate on migration must open up Calum Steele: Starmer's talking shop is selling fake solutions to mass migration Catriona Stewart: Migration bill will make some people more Scottish than others Nicola Sturgeon: Migration will secure population growth Viswnathan warned that politicians should be aware of the power students wield at the ballot box. She said: 'I think our message to the government, especially to the Welsh and the Scottish government who are going into these elections next year is to watch out for students because everyone can vote in these elections. 'Every single demographic, they can vote in these elections, which makes them very unique, very special. We do have a big force within NUS Wales and Scotland to mobilize.' 'We have a petition that is out so hopefully if that reaches as many signatures as possible, and that is going to be taken into consideration. We will join hands with sector partners to see what's next.' In a statement, 10 Downing St categorically denied that Keir Starmer's 'strangers' comment was meant to evoke Enoch Powell's rhetoric. A spokesperson said: 'The prime minister rejects those comparisons and absolutely stands behind the argument he was making that migrants make a massive contribution to our country, but migration needs to be controlled.' Concern has been raised over the funding model for UK universities. The main body for UK universities has responded to the government's proposals. Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: 'Our universities recognise public concerns about immigration. That is why we are committed to maintaining robust recruitment practices. We work closely with the government to ensure that international student recruitment is sustainable, and growth is well-managed. 'Many of the changes announced today build on proposals published by UUK in September and will help preserve an internationally competitive offer to international students. Confirmation that the Graduate route will remain in place with some minor changes is particularly welcome. Stern added: 'However, the financial challenges facing universities are well known. Following years of frozen fees, inadequate research funding and a rapid downturn in international students, the current operating environment is very challenging. 'We would urge the government to think carefully about the impact that a levy on international student fees will have on universities and the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Struggling students skip meals as living costs rise
University students have described struggling to afford to eat meals due to rising living costs. Kardo Mina, a final year law student at Swansea University who also works part time, said he regularly swapped meals for cups of coffee because doing so was "more financially viable". A recent survey of students in Wales by the National Union of Students (NUS) Cymru found that 58% said they had skipped meals due to difficulties paying rent and housing costs. Swansea University said it recognised the financial and academic pressures faced by students and was committed to supporting their wellbeing. Talent leaving for England due to scheme, unis say 'I was homeless while revising for my GCSEs' Wales' students leaving uni with average £35k debt NUS Cymru said financial pressures, including rising rents and utility bills, had made things "really difficult" for students. Across Wales, the average rent costs rose by 8.9% over the past year, according to recent data from the ONS. A range of household bills, including water, gas and electricity, also increased earlier this month. A new pilot scheme which provides free meals for students has been set up to try to address the issue in Swansea. Nourish and Flourish, funded by a grant from Swansea Youth Bank, is run by student volunteers and provides a meal, dessert and drink for 30 students, five days a week, during the exams and assessment period. Kardo, from Swansea, said his living costs usually come to around £700 or £800 a month, He was receiving meals as part of the project. While Kardo does get support from student finance, he said he relied heavily on part-time work to make ends meet as he gets no extra financial support from family. "I have some help from a scholarship I've got, but still that's a lot of money I have to pay and budgeting for food, travel, accommodation and other expenses adds up too," said Kardo, 24. "Sometimes I have to skip some meals and replace it with coffee which is not healthy. "I found it a lot easier to have a coffee instead of a meal because it was just more financially viable for me." Kardo said the meal scheme had made a difference to his health and ability to concentrate during the exam period. "This meal helps me to have more free time, study more, and actually attempt the exam questions. "I'm way more prepared, whereas for my first semester exams, I was not." Nandini Sheth, 20, an international student from Sudan, usually works part-time to support her studies but has recently cut down her hours to focus on her final year at Swansea University. Nandini said her tuition fees came to around £20,000 per year. "In my first two years I was working more so I had more savings so I could get more nutritious meals," said Nandini. She said the meal programme had improved her access to healthy food. "I wouldn't say I've totally skipped a meal but if I can't have a proper meal, I just keep snacking instead," she said. "Getting these meals every day gives me a better idea of quick things I can start preparing." Tooba Zeb, 21, from Wolverhampton, is also a full-time student at the university, and said the meal support scheme had helped her. "It has been difficult, especially this year," she said. "Things like meat cost a lot and living out, washing and doing laundry, that costs a lot too. "This meal support has really helped me save on my groceries." Naman Kumar, who set up the free meals project in collaboration with volunteers from Swansea University Hindu Society at the start of April, said the idea for the project came from his own experiences. "There are so many things students face - there is academic stress, there are financial needs, they have to pay their rent," he said. Mr Kumar said the exam period was particularly challenging, which is why he chose to target the project around it. "Every student is trying to give 100% so why not help them during this period and minimise the stress and anxiety that they feel," he added. A spokesperson for Swansea University said it was "inspired" by student-led initiatives like the meal scheme and welcomed conversations about how it could support similar efforts. NUS Cymru president Deio Owen said students were having to "make tough decision between heating and eating". He said some students were also "missing out on social events, such as going for a coffee or catching the bus to go and see a friend". "Those things are really difficult for students now because of the financial pressures on them at the moment," he added. "We are seeing that heightened stress around examinations and assessments and then, if we are seeing that increase in students going to work part-time while they study, all of this bubbles in together at one of the most crucial periods of their time at university." All universities in Wales offer hardship funds, discounted meals on campus and specialist advice on debt and budgeting through their student money advice services. Some student unions, such as at Swansea and Cardiff University, also offer a "five free items" scheme to help students access essentials. Swansea University said it had introduced one-off support payments to help with the costs of accommodation, travel, childcare, and postgraduate study. Cardiff University runs a supper club for 100 students on a monthly basis and its university chaplaincy offers access to free hot drinks and meals. Cardiff Metropolitan University said it had increased the number of emergency food vouchers available. The University of South Wales offers free stationery supplies on campus to help with costs. Bangor University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and Wrexham University's student unions run stations where students can access free food and meal kits. Wrexham University's student union also runs a weekly breakfast club. Aberystwyth University runs a hub where students can access free food, clothing and homeware. Can I fix my energy prices? Why are university tuition fees going up? When will interest rates go down again?
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University students skip meals as living costs rise
University students have described struggling to afford to eat meals due to rising living Mina, a final year law student at Swansea University who also works part time, said he regularly swapped meals for cups of coffee because doing so was "more financially viable".A recent survey of students in Wales by the National Union of Students (NUS) Cymru found that 58% said they had skipped meals due to difficulties paying rent and housing University said it recognised the financial and academic pressures faced by students and was committed to supporting their wellbeing. NUS Cymru said financial pressures, including rising rents and utility bills, had made things "really difficult" for students. Across Wales, the average rent costs rose by 8.9% over the past year, according to recent data from the ONS.A range of household bills, including water, gas and electricity, also increased earlier this month.A new pilot scheme which provides free meals for students has been set up to try to address the issue in and Flourish, funded by a grant from Swansea Youth Bank, is run by student volunteers and provides a meal, dessert and drink for 30 students, five days a week, during the exams and assessment period. Kardo, from Swansea, said his living costs usually come to around £700 or £800 a month, He was receiving meals as part of the Kardo does get support from student finance, he said he relied heavily on part-time work to make ends meet as he gets no extra financial support from family."I have some help from a scholarship I've got, but still that's a lot of money I have to pay and budgeting for food, travel, accommodation and other expenses adds up too," said Kardo, 24."Sometimes I have to skip some meals and replace it with coffee which is not healthy. "I found it a lot easier to have a coffee instead of a meal because it was just more financially viable for me."Kardo said the meal scheme had made a difference to his health and ability to concentrate during the exam period."This meal helps me to have more free time, study more, and actually attempt the exam questions. "I'm way more prepared, whereas for my first semester exams, I was not." Nandini Sheth, 20, an international student from Sudan, usually works part-time to support her studies but has recently cut down her hours to focus on her final year at Swansea said her tuition fees came to around £20,000 per year. "In my first two years I was working more so I had more savings so I could get more nutritious meals," said said the meal programme had improved her access to healthy food."I wouldn't say I've totally skipped a meal but if I can't have a proper meal, I just keep snacking instead," she said."Getting these meals every day gives me a better idea of quick things I can start preparing." Tooba Zeb, 21, from Wolverhampton, is also a full-time student at the university, and said the meal support scheme had helped her."It has been difficult, especially this year," she said."Things like meat cost a lot and living out, washing and doing laundry, that costs a lot too."This meal support has really helped me save on my groceries." Naman Kumar, who set up the free meals project in collaboration with volunteers from Swansea University Hindu Society at the start of April, said the idea for the project came from his own experiences."There are so many things students face - there is academic stress, there are financial needs, they have to pay their rent," he Kumar said the exam period was particularly challenging, which is why he chose to target the project around it."Every student is trying to give 100% so why not help them during this period and minimise the stress and anxiety that they feel," he added.A spokesperson for Swansea University said it was "inspired" by student-led initiatives like the meal scheme and welcomed conversations about how it could support similar efforts. NUS Cymru president Deio Owen said students were having to "make tough decision between heating and eating".He said some students were also "missing out on social events, such as going for a coffee or catching the bus to go and see a friend"."Those things are really difficult for students now because of the financial pressures on them at the moment," he added."We are seeing that heightened stress around examinations and assessments and then, if we are seeing that increase in students going to work part-time while they study, all of this bubbles in together at one of the most crucial periods of their time at university." What support is available from universities? All universities in Wales offer hardship funds, discounted meals on campus and specialist advice on debt and budgeting through their student money advice student unions, such as at Swansea and Cardiff University, also offer a "five free items" scheme to help students access essentials. Swansea University said it had introduced one-off support payments to help with the costs of accommodation, travel, childcare, and postgraduate University runs a supper club for 100 students on a monthly basis and its university chaplaincy offers access to free hot drinks and Metropolitan University said it had increased the number of emergency food vouchers University of South Wales offers free stationery supplies on campus to help with University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and Wrexham University's student unions run stations where students can access free food and meal University's student union also runs a weekly breakfast University runs a hub where students can access free food, clothing and homeware.
Telegraph
19-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Starmer sets a trap you could spot from space – and Badenoch still dives into it
I know there is only one award that readers really look forward to each Wednesday. Today it was a clear winner out of the gates with the second question. 'Bottom-Crawler of the Week' was Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes, a Uriah Heap lookalike who spoke about his passion for job creation, and how wonderful the Prime Minister's plans for it were. I looked him up to see whether he had spent the last few months living on the moon and I can tell you that he can't have been all that passionate about jobs, having never had a real one in his life. There are bacteria in the average human gut which have contributed more to the wealth of nations than someone who went from being head of the National Union of Students to chairman of the Socialist Environment and Resources Association to being a local councillor to being a trustee of Stonewall to being a Labour MP. The closest he has ever got to a serious job was as head of PR for the British Kebab Awards. No wonder these people are blind to the effects of their jobs tax on businesses; none has ever been involved in anything beyond Early Learning Centre-grade student politicking. Presiding over this affront to parliamentary democracy is, of course, Oinky. He was in particularly ebullient form today; perhaps they'd put something in his herbal tea. Given the last time the current PM had something new or interesting to say at PMQs was during the early days of the May administration, he invariably gets muddled when overexcited. In reply to Mrs Badenoch's query about the looming emergency Budget, he simply barked 'massive 22 black hole', which might actually have given us a dreadful insight into the depths of his psyche. After pinning the PM down on hospice funding, Mrs Badenoch herself managed to be snared. Sir Keir is hardly subtle in this, resembling Elmer Fudd in a brilliantined wig, as he sets traps visible from space. Still, Ms Badenoch allowed him to ask her a question. 'Would she reverse the National Insurance increase?' he cried. The whole charade is pointless at the best of times but allowing Britain's smarmiest man not to only fail to answer anything himself but to turn the tables and become the inquisitor is a step too far. Oinky referenced his much-fantasised-about big black hole in every single answer, often mangling it along the way; 'Twenty-two billion hole!' he yelled. Beside him, Big Ange and Rachel from Complaints nodded in rare unison, like a pair of dolls. Specifically, Pinocchio and Chucky. Mrs Badenoch offered to swap places with the PM if he was so keen on not answering questions. After the headline sparring, various backbenchers took their turns. Carla Denyer, the winner of the 'most obviously a Green Party MP' award tutted and shook her head during the PM's answer about benefit cuts. A Lib Dem who was dressed like an Edwardian ghost asked a question about eating disorders. The biggest laugh came for Lee Anderson (who has directed most of his recent fire not at the Government but at, er, Rupert Lowe) when he claimed to be asking sensible questions. How many Starmtroopers in Reform-facing seats will still be laughing come the next general election remains to be seen. More impressive was Danny Kruger, who asked the PM why he was obsessed with 'doing things to disabled people rather than with them'. The question was ostensibly about the benefits system but inevitably invited consideration of Kim Leadreaper's evil bill still under discussion down the corridor. Finally, the MP for Bedford asked a totally incomprehensible question about a theme park. Why would we need another theme park, one wonders, when we have the House of Commons?
