More than 100,000 students try to sue universities over disruption to their studies
More than 100,000 students are attempting to sue their universities over disruption to their studies because of the pandemic and strike action.
When COVID hit in 2020 much of students’ learning went online, classrooms were shut, and social events cancelled.
Shannon Barnes, who is finishing her final exams at UCL where she studies physiology and is seeking compensation, said: “We were given a kit of weighing scales and an origami microscope and various simplified versions of equipment that you’d have in a lab, week on week we were told to do these simplified experiments from home, one of them was making a cake.
“Having had one year of fully in-person, seeing lecturers, completing practicals, going to tutorials, yet I’m going to come out of with a debt of more than £40,000 or £50,000, it just doesn’t seem right.”
Students who are unhappy with their teaching can complain directly to their university and then the Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIAHE), who received a record number of complaints in 2022, and awarded more than £1 million in compensation.
Now students from over 100 universities are taking part in this “no win no fee” dispute and have joined group cases via StudentGroupClaim.co.uk to seek compensation of up to £5,000.
Shannon Barnes, UCL student
For international students it could be more due to the higher fees which they paid.
This legal action focuses on students enrolled during the pandemic, along with others who had learning affected by strike action by lecturers from 2018-2022.
The first case to reach court is against University College London (UCL), who say they followed UK government guidance and “ensured that a high-quality academic experience was provided to students”.
They say going to court is premature and want students to go through their internal complaints’ procedure and then the OIAHE.
But lawyers for the students disagree.
Ryan Dunleavy, lawyer representing students
Ryan Dunleavy, a partner from Harcus Parker said: “We’re arguing, like any other consumer and like any other person in this country, that they have article six rights which gives you the right to a fair trial, and we believe that fair trial should be heard in court.”
At the hearing at the High Court, a judge will decide whether the students at UCL are allowed to pursue their claims in court.
If the claim against UCL is allowed to proceed, similar claims will be brought against other universities, therefore the outcome of Wednesday will set a precedent.
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‘We are proud of how universities adapted’
It comes amid ongoing industrial action by the University and College Union, who are continuing a marking and assessment boycott over pay and working conditions, leaving many students across the country unclear if they will even graduate this summer.
Universities UK said: “The COVID-19 pandemic threw two years of unprecedented challenge at the higher education sector and our students, and we are proud of how universities adapted and managed in adverse circumstances.
“During some periods of lockdown, universities were not permitted to offer teaching and learning as usual, and instead universities adjusted quickly and creatively to ensure students could learn and graduate.”
Professor Kathleen Armour, Vice-President (Education & Student Experience) at UCL said: “We recognise that for many students, the last few years have been a disruptive and unsettling time.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we followed UK government guidance and prioritised the health and safety of our community.
“Our lecturers and support staff worked tirelessly to make our campus and all UCL premises as safe as possible and ensured that a high-quality academic experience was provided to students.
“We have also been fully committed to minimising the impact of industrial action, to ensure students are not academically disadvantaged.”
An MP has lost the Conservative Party whip while newspaper claims about alleged misuse of campaign funds are investigated.
Mark Menzies, the MP for Fylde, disputes the allegations reported by The Times but the Conservative Party is looking into the claims.
A spokesperson for Chief Whip Simon Hart said: “Following a call with the Chief Whip, Mark Menzies has agreed to relinquish the Conservative whip, pending the outcome of an investigation.”
Losing the whip means Mr Menzies is no longer a member of the Conservative parliamentary party and will sit as an independent MP, rather than a Tory MP, in the House of Commons chamber.
In a statement to The Times, Mr Menzies said: “I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “The Conservative Party is investigating allegations made regarding a Member of Parliament. This process is rightfully confidential.
“The party takes all allegations seriously and will always investigate any matters put to them.”
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said earlier on Wednesday that it was “frankly appalling” that the Conservative Party had allegedly been aware of the allegations for more than three months.
“Rishi Sunak must suspend the whip for Mark Menzies immediately, while all the relevant authorities investigate the matter,” she said.
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Mr Menzies has served as the MP for Fylde in Lancashire since May 2010.
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Last week William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove, Greater Manchester, also gave up the whip after he admitted to The Times that he had given his colleagues’ phone numbers to someone he met on a dating app.
Scotland Yard said it is investigating reports of the so-called “honeytrap” scam after it was suggested at least 12 men in political circles received unsolicited messages, raising security concerns.
Mr Wragg also resigned as vice-chairman of the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers and stepped down from his role heading the Commons’ public administration and constitutional affairs committee.
A man who was jailed for his involvement in the abduction of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has died.
Michael Donovan became notorious in 2008 after the schoolgirl was found alive in his flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, 24 days after she was reported missing from her home in nearby Dewsbury.
The 54-year-old died on Tuesday after collapsing at The Three Valleys Hospital, a mental health unit in Keighley, West Yorkshire, according to The Sun.
The paper reported that Donovan, who was released from prison in 2012, had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
He was jailed in early 2009 alongside Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, after the pair had planned the disappearance in an attempt to claim a £50,000 cash reward offered at the time by a national newspaper.
Donovan was the uncle of Shannon’s stepfather, Craig Meehan.
Shannon, who is now 25, was found in Donovan’s flat in Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, in the base of a divan bed.
A base of a bed shown as evidence by the prosecution in the trial. Pic: PA
She had been drugged and forced to adhere to a strict list of rules while being held captive.
Leeds Crown Court was told at the time that the ordeal had left Shannon “disturbed and traumatised” and suffering nightmares.
The search for the schoolgirl cost West Yorkshire Police an estimated £3.2m and was the largest inquiry in the force’s history since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper.
Residents of Dewsbury celebrated after Shannon was found alive. Pic: PA
Donovan and Matthews were jailed for eight years in January 2009 after being found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
During sentencing, Mr Justice McCombe suggested other people may have been involved in the plot.
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However, police said the case was closed and there was no evidence to bring any more charges.
West Yorkshire Police said on Wednesday: “Police were contacted on Tuesday 16 April and made aware of the death of a man in hospital in the Steeton area.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries will be conducted on behalf of the coroner.”
The group which runs The Three Valleys Hospital declined to comment.
UK
Children playing at Salford nature reserve where body part was later found may have crucial information, police say
Detectives investigating human remains found wrapped in plastic at a Salford nature reserve believe children who were playing in the area days before the discovery could have crucial information.
The crime scene in Kersal Dale Wetlands has been lifted after a 12-day search involving more than 100 officers, an underwater search team and dogs.
Warning: This story contains details readers may find distressing
Police and forensic officers at Kersal Dale. Pic: PA
The “significant body part” found wrapped in clear plastic on Thursday 4 April was today confirmed by Greater Manchester Police to consist of the bottom part of the deceased’s back, buttocks and thigh.
Detectives are working to identify the victim, who they say was a man likely over the age of 40. It appears he was white, with no distinguishable marks on his body such as scars or tattoos, police added.
Officers think he had only been dead for a few days.
Police have launched a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses, including dog walkers, who were in the area between 6am and 6pm on the day a passer-by made the grim discovery.
A trawl of footage from nearby CCTV cameras found children were playing in the area in the days leading up to the body part being found and officers believe they “could hold crucial information without even realising it”.
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Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith said: “Our focus from day one has remained on the victim’s family. They will be suffering the loss of a loved one, and we need to be able to give them answers so they can come to terms with their loss. Our work is far from over, this is just the beginning of a long and complex investigation.”
He added: “Although we haven’t found any more human remains in the area from our searches, we continue to work with an open mind whilst our murder investigation continues.”
The investigation cannot confirm the deceased’s nationality at this stage, the detective added.
He said: “My team have checked the victim’s DNA against the UK police database and although this does not bring up a match, there is extensive work ongoing, including trawls of various other databases, missing person records and medical records; it’s a big piece of work which will take time.”
Police and forensic officers at Kersal Dale, near Salford. Pic: PA
The police also want to hear from members of the public who may have a missing family member, DCI Naismith said.
He added: “Right now, as well as wanting to speak to those who may have been in the area where the body part was found, we are also appealing to anyone who has a dad, brother, or son who they have not seen in over 12 days to come forward and speak to us.
“Our victim could be a family member, friend, co-worker or acquaintance and someone somewhere will have an idea of what has happened to him.”
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A noticeboard at the entrance to the nature reserve. Pic: PA
Earlier in the investigation a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and later released on bail pending further enquiries.
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