What are we doing?

As a Students’ Union we are in constant coordination and conversation with the higher authorities to acknowledge and address the issues associated with cost of living faced by students.

• Daniel Zeichner, Cambridge MP, expressed his support for the cost of living campaign as we discussed various accommodation issues students face across Cambridge.

• We are going to address the impact of the cost of living crisis in Chelmsford with Vickey Ford (Chelmsford MP) in a meeting scheduled for the first week of November.

We have managed to resolve some of the emergency housing issues for students in collaboration with residential services. Students without accommodation were provided with a 7-day temporary stay for £20 per night at a local Travelodge which gave them time to find accommodation.   

• The renters’ guide has been updated to create awareness among students about their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
• Accommodation drop-in sessions were organised for students to come and talk to us about their living conditions and accommodations issues.

We reviewed the Hardship fund application format to make it easier to apply for the fund and make it more accessible to students.

With our constant efforts, the university addressed the cost-of-living crisis by reducing the cost of food in the university’s canteen; a selection of meals were reduced to £1 a day to help students.

We have been working closely with NUS to support their campaign to address the cost of living issue on a national level.

We liaised with the university to supply free fruit, porridge, and soup in the Students’ Union student space on both Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses.

As a students’ union, we have always worked towards making the experience better at ARU. We’ve led campaigns like period poverty, which makes sanitary products more accessible to students, and many other campaigns and projects. We have worked in unison towards making life easier for students and making sure their voices are heard by the university.

What can you do?

• Let us know what your experiences are and any issues that you come across in your student life at ARU. We are here as a Students’ Union to support and ensure you have the best experience at ARU. Please send us an email to show your support for the cost of living crisis campaign.

• As a student, you can show your support for the NUS cost of living campaign by taking part in their survey at the following link - student cost of living survey

Participate and get a chance to win £250…!

The survey results will be taken into consideration when the NUS advocates for students in its interactions with the government regarding the cost of living crisis.

With the new budget being announced on October 31st will be our next opportunity to convince the government to provide financial aid for students.

To be successful, we must continue to focus on the issue of rising student living expenses and actively persuade MPs and public personalities to join our cause. Through their constituents, which includes each of you, they can accomplish this the best.

We are asking every student to write to their local MP. Ask them to publicly write to the Chancellor and ask for:

• An emergency payment for students
• To raise maintenance loans in line with inflation
• To provide additional hardship funding for universities and colleges

You can send an email to your MP to share your concerns and struggles relating to the cost of living crisis by clicking the following link:

Write to your MP for Cost of Living Support @ NUS

There is a true cost of living crisis 

and until we act and speak up

NOTHING WILL CHANGE.