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College students will be able to go home for Christmas, but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said some students may have to isolate themselves at the end of the term.
Speaking to the Commons, Williamson said: “I know there has been some anxiety about the impact security measures will have on the Christmas holidays.
“We are going to work with the colleges to ensure that all students are supported to return home safely and spend Christmas with loved ones if they wish.”
Students have been told they will be able to go home for Christmas
However, he said some students may have to isolate themselves at the end of the term, which could mean ending face-to-face learning early if necessary.
The Education Secretary said it is “essential” that measures are put in place to ensure that students can return home during the holidays if they wish.
He added that more guidelines will be published “so that each student can spend Christmas with their family.”
At least 33 UK universities have confirmed cases of coronavirus, while two others have suspected cases, according to the Sky News investigation.
Thousands of students must isolate themselves, including about 1,700 at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Williamson said universities have been asked to provide “additional help and practical support” to students, including ensuring that those who self-isolate have access to food, medical supplies and cleaning supplies.
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Thanking the students for their cooperation so far, he said, “We will never be in a position where we can eliminate all risks.”
“But we will not condemn a generation of young people by asking them to put their lives on hold for months or years.
“We believe that universities are very well prepared to handle any outbreak as it arises.”
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said that if Williamson is not “controlled,” the situation at universities could get worse.
Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh also warned that “we cannot destroy the life chances of young people.”
“If you’re making history, you can’t be condemned to permanent online teaching, you could also stay home. Why have you paid all this money?” he said.
Sir Edward added: “This is not the kind of university we all want, a place of light and learning, no lockdowns.”
Analysis: this news will be welcome, but questions remain
By Kate McCann, Political Correspondent
Gavin Williamson was undoubtedly dreading his appearance in the House of Commons this morning after a week of negative headlines about students being forced to stay indoors.
Maybe that’s why he came armed with the one piece of news he knew everyone would be waiting to hear: that work is being done to make sure they can go home for Christmas.
In reality, keeping people away from their families during the holiday period was never going to work, but after being asked if it was possible last week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock didn’t rule it out.
Today’s news that everyone will be able to go home, even if some have to isolate themselves first, will be welcome at that time.
Ministers will provide further guidance on how it will work shortly, but whatever the rules lay down, it will build on common sense and people’s love for their families to protect the most vulnerable.
Other points of interest emerged when Kate Green asked if the government will help universities that want to establish their own testing regimes.
Williamson did not respond to the question, but some institutions seem willing to do so regardless of fears that the national system may not be able to cope with the winter.
Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh expressed frustration with how it appears that a Conservative government will lock students up in their accommodation.
Mr. Williamson responded that students should follow the rules on self-isolation like everyone else, but he said emphatically that they should not be held to higher standards than that.
The government faces big questions about its approach to the rise in COVID-19 infections, and despite the prime minister’s speech this morning and a statement from Mr Williamson, many of those questions remain.
Critics want to see a policy that makes sense while reducing the infection rate; they will not tolerate trial and error.
