IMP for Remutaka Minister for COVID-19 Response Minister of Eavoation we Minster fr th Puble Service Leadarofthe House 27 OCT 2021 Hon Chris Hipkins ty | hide Swarbrick et CH7968 MP for Auckland Central chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz Dear Chide ‘Thank you for your letter of 10 September 2021 about student support and the impact of COVID-19. |lam also responding on behaif of Hon Grant Robertson, | understand the level of uncertainty that students are experiencing as a result of COVID-19, and we have moved quickly to ensure people are supported at this time. | acknowledge your comments about the impact on tertiary students and the specific changes you would like to see to address these challenges. | have also considered the NZUSA's National Student Action Plan, which made three direct requests to Government on behalf of many student associations. We acknowledge that some tertiary students can find it difficult to meet living and study costs, both in the current environment, and more generally. As you will know, we increased student loan living costs and student allowances by $50 per week in 2018 and these will increase again by $25 per week from 1 April next year. ‘As you will appreciate, the introduction of a universal student allowance would increase spending on student support substantially and would mean that other pressing needs in the community could not be met. It would give an increased amount of funding to all 400,000 tertiary students irrespective of their diverse circumstances and need. A significant increase in spending would need be weighed alongside other Budget priorities and wider government commitments. While a universal allowance is not currently being considered, we remain committed to looking at ways to make student support policy more responsive to student needs so that tertiary education is accessible for as many New Zealanders as possible. ‘As you know, the Government also extended the Hardship Fund for Learners (HAFL) for the 2021 calendar year as part of Budget 2021 and added $10 million. It has topped this up again by $20 milion to recognise that recent COVID-19 restrictions have caused real hardship for our tertiary student community | note your concerns about how the recently topped-up HAFL is allocated and how it can be accessed. |/do expect all tertiary providers who receive HAFL funding to engage with their learners about the fund and their use of it. The Tertiary Education Commission is working with learner representatives and provider groups to improve learner awareness of and accessibiity to this support. They need to ensure that itis clear to tertiary education organisations how the funding can be used. | was sorry to read your comments about students discontinuing their studies due to financial strain, and encourage all students to contact their provider, or StudyLink, to discuss their situation and ensure they are receiving all the support they are able to access, Students will continue to receive their regular student living support payments during COVID-19 restrictions as long as they remain enrolled and studying. Those who are working part-time may also be eligible for support through the wage subsidy. 168, Walington 6160. New Zealandl +6448178708 | chipkins@ministersgovinz | beshivagov.nz‘The Government is also concemed about the increasing pressure COVID-19 places on the mental health and wellbeing of tertiary learners. As announced in Budget 2020, we are expanding the provision of health and wellbeing services for learners enrolled in tertiary education institutes. Te Pakenga is currently working to put the first tranche of services in place across its subsidiaries. Together with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education is continuing to work with wananga, universities and tertiary learners to determine how best to allocate funding over the coming years, including how best to support students in the Auckland region. | value our engagement on tertiary education and your contributions to ensuring that tertiary students ‘across the country are set up for success. The work you have done with the Education and Workforce Committee Inquiry into student accommodation, which has underscored the need for an inclusive and supportive tertiary sector, has made a major contribution to the new Code of Practice for the pastoral ‘care of domestic and international students. This work will complement direct support to students and be central to creating a genuinely learner-centred education system that values our tertiary and international akonga, as signalled in the new Tertiary Education Strategy. Yours sincerely Minister of Education