September

A Statement from The Student Officers on the Political Crisis at Stormont

Queen’s Students’ Union is deeply concerned at the unfolding political crisis at Stormont, and wish to call on all of our MLAs to remember that the lives of our students and people across Northern Ireland will be hugely affected by the fall of the institutions.

Our students have already been hit hard by cuts, with the Department for Employment and Learning budget suffering a huge reduction, and widening access funding slashed across the board.  At a time when young people are under personal financial pressure, students need to be supported in their efforts to learn and to become key players in the future prosperity of Northern Ireland.

We call upon our politicians to come together to agree a way forward that will serve everyone’s best interests.  Our politicians have a responsibility to provide governance and leadership – at the moment this is sadly lacking.  We believe that none of the political parties are actively working together to find a solution.

The collapse of the Assembly and imposition of Direct Rule from Westminster will have a detrimental impact on students, with the likelihood of a fee hike to £9000 per year, the abolition of maintenance grants, and further pressure on student support. That cannot be allowed to happen.

Young people work hard in employment and in their studies.  They volunteer and they are ambassadors across the world.  They are actively contributing to making this a better society for all.  It is time for our politicians to work to create the future we deserve.