University waives accommodation fees for students unable to return
Birmingham City University has announced it will waive accommodation fees for students unable to return to halls.
The university will not charge rent for students unable to use rooms at its University Locks accommodation for the duration of the current period of lockdown.
Students who have already returned to their rooms or remained in the halls over Christmas will be given a discount of £50 per week to cover the period of restrictions.
The changes are being introduced for the initial period of lockdown announced by the government, but will be extended to cover any extension to the current restrictions.
The university is also in dialogue with private accommodation partners about any support they are able to offer to students.
Professor Philip Plowden, vice-chancellor at Birmingham City University, said the current guidelines had placed limitations on how people travelled and how university study would be carried out.
He said: "Many students who live in our University Locks accommodation during term time will be unable to return to the halls under the current restrictions.
"We are committed to supporting them by ensuring they do not have to pay for rooms that they are unable to use.
"We also understand that for those who have already returned to campus, or remained with us over the Christmas break, that their experience is going to be different.
"This is why we are also offering a reduction in rent for all in this situation."
