Today I have written to the Prime Minister and relevant Ministers expressing my concerns about students in Palestine with offers at UK Universities. The stance is simple, bring them to safety.
 

The letter reads:

Dear Prime Minister and Ministers,

I am writing to you as an elected representative of the University of Lancashire Students' Union, a widening participation institution that is proud to give people the incredible opportunity of a high quality education. Our students and I are concerned about the fate of dozens of students who have places on courses at UK universities who are still currently trapped in Gaza.

These students have worked tirelessly to earn their places, passing exams, writing applications, taking English tests, and attending interviews - all while living under siege in Gaza. Education is their only hope - and time is running out. These students deserve a fair chance, not only for a quality education but a chance at life.

It is welcome that 34 students with fully funded scholarships arrived in the UK on 23rd September, but we know that dozens others, and those who do not have fully funded scholarships remain unable to travel to the UK. I raise this with urgency because time is running out.

I am supporting NUS's call for the UK Government to remove all barriers in order to evacuate all remaining students with offers to study in the UK, as well as allow the students' dependants to come to the UK with them to ensure their safety. NUS is also calling on universities to waive fees and administrative barriers that stand in the way of students beginning their studies this year.

Other European countries - including Belgium, Ireland, and Italy - have already taken steps to support students in similar situations. I, among other students here in the UK, urge that we do the same.

I call on your government to save these students by:

• Evacuating all Palestinian students holding offers to study in the UK in 2025/26, regardless of whether their positions are fully funded

• Working with universities to remove barriers to students attending, including language tests which are impossible to obtain in Gaza, fees and other administrative barriers

• Allowing dependents of the students to travel with them to the UK to ensure their safety

Yours sincerely,

Avery Greatorex 

SU Rep, University of Lancashire SU