A food bank in London has revealed it is feeding over 1,000 international students a week who have flocked to the area. A collapse in part-time work has increased the risk of destitution for some students who may be unwilling to ask for formal help from their institution, or unable to provide evidence requested to access hardship funding. Callan Quinn reports.
The Australian government has once again failed to provide any timeframe for when they will be allowed back into the country, following a national cabinet meeting between state and federal leaders.
The number of non-UK students at higher education institutions in the country in 2019/20 rose above half a million for the first time, which stakeholders say re-affirms positive steps that the government and sector have taken.
Asked when international students would be permitted to return to China, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson admitted he was "not aware of the specifics" of their situation.
Universities and student unions have been doing their best to keep up spirits as many students face the Christmas break alone.
International students in the UK will be able to access the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as it is rolled out across the country, as the universities minister confirms Covid-19 tests and related treatment will carry no charges.
Australia's PM confirmed last week that Australian citizens and residents would be prioritised in terms of border arrivals so no extension of limited pilot flights will happen – for now.
Hopes among international students for a return to China in the near future have been dashed as the country has once again tightened its entry requirements.
