Following recommendations from a working group comprising the Students’ Union, trade union representatives and staff established last week the University has agreed a package of new measures, including one-off payments to students and staff, particularly aimed at those most in need.

A total of 3600 students who come from families earning under £25,000 per year will receive a one-off payment of £400 each with all other students receiving a one-off payment of £150.

University staff, excluding senior management, will receive payments of between £500 - £750 dependent on salary level. The university will also allocate £600,000 into a student support fund focused on international students.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “Students and staff are facing into a winter of financial uncertainty with escalating fuel, mortgage and food bills placing a significant strain on those most in need.

"The University prioritises the health and wellbeing of our staff and students and, in consultation with them and trade union representatives, we have evaluated the most effective ways to implement these measures to support the Queen’s community during the escalating crisis.

"A new student funding package of £5.7m allocated from University funds - in addition to £2.7 million of student support funding provided by the Department of Economy – has been agreed to deliver this raft of measures.

"These new interventions are in addition to our current subsidised approach to membership of Queen’s Sport and to Childcare provision."

Professor Greer added: “This package will have a significant impact on the University’s financial outlook for this academic year with £7.69 million being reallocated to support these new interventions on top of growing energy and operating costs. However, the University leadership and Senate decided it was important to move quickly to support our students and staff during the current crisis and absorb the cost of these new interventions. 

"We will continue to develop additional proposals to support both students and staff through the cost-of-living crisis and we will announce further interventions in due course.”

Queen’s Students’ Union President, Emma Murphy stated: “We welcome the additional supports that the University is putting in place to recognise the impact the Cost of Living Crisis will have on students. This has come from a partnership approach and the strong lobbying efforts of the Students’ Union, and we are delighted that the supports being put in place will be guaranteed for every student that attends the University.

"However, the worst months are still to come for students, so the Students’ Union intends to continue to lobby political parties to do more to help and support students in the coming months.”

Access the Cost of Living hub for advice and support for students. 

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