Proposed by Cllr Garden

Liberal Democrat member motion

Oxford should be rightly proud of its record for fighting against injustice, for its record in supporting access to university for all students, and fighting to retain Oxford’s connection to Europe. The approach to Brexit has taken us through an unfortunate period in our country’s history. There’s little doubt that, whatever the outcome of the negotiations, Brexit reduces our right to live, work and retire in over 30 countries. It’s divided the nation and driven many away, and the government, intentionally or unintentionally, continues to sever ties, even with its own citizens.

Frequently overlooked are those British citizens, who sought to live or work in the European Union as so many have done over the years. Many of their children are often enrolled in their local British school. Most retain links to the UK.

Until now British students living anywhere in the European Union were included in the home fees agreement (British students who happened to live in an EU country could return to study at a university in the UK and be treated as “Home / EU”).

After the end of the transition period and as of 1st January 2021, British passport-holding students living in the European Union will no longer meet the residency qualification for UK universities. They will be treated as foreign if they’ve not lived in one of the UK’s four nations (England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) for three years up to when they start the course ; and liable to the international fee rate. Yet these same British students will also be seen as foreign in European Universities, where the fees are dependent on nationality, and therefore charged accordingly.

We do not believe that the vote to leave the EU intended to forsake all those British children and their families who had taken the opportunity of living and working in the European Union. The law needs to change to enable those British students living in the EU to be given the opportunity to attend a British university, the opportunity to re-establish ties with the UK, the opportunity for a Higher Education.

Council calls on the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Education:

1. Requesting him to ensure that all British citizens who are resident in the European Union, who are planning to study at UK universities, have access to the home fees rate.

2. Asking that they should also be granted access to be able to apply for student loans.

References:
1: "Student finance - GOV.UK." https://www.gov.uk/student-finance . Accessed 18 Nov. 2020.

2: "Living Abroad And Uk Citizen Fees - Complete University Guide."

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ask/answer/3878/living-abroad-and-uk-citizen-fees .

Accessed 18 Nov. 2020.

3: "Many British expats are shocked to find that they may be ...." 8 Feb. 2016,

https://ukstudyoptions.com/many-british-expats-are-shocked-to-find-that-they-may-be-expected-to-pay-overseas-fees-when-their-son-or-daughter-is-applying-to-university-in-the-uk/ . Accessed 18 Nov. 2020.

This motion was not taken as the time allocated for debate had finished.