Today I met with Matt Crilly, president of the National Union of Students – Scotland. Many issues were raised such as: – financial difficulties students are facing, resulting from job losses and uncertainty, – the way certain private accommodation providers managed this crisis – particularly at the onset of the pandemic,- the need for wrap-around support for college and university students in practical courses who don’t receive the required skills- the Scottish Government’s requirement that the £25m hardship fund for students must be distributed within a month is too tight a timescale, creating additional challenges for staff and making it less effective for students- a rethink on the “quarantine charge” as many students, who need to return, cannot afford to stay in a hotel for 10 days.