The government has not intervened in the rental arrangements for Manx students away at university as it is a private matter for them.

Education minister Dr Alex Allinson said that while the DESC provides maintenance grants for some students, the students themselves are the ones who enter into rental agreements.

Dr Allinson was asked by Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) whether he had intervened with any disputes with universities.

He said: ’If a student chooses to come back to the island early and with the permission of their university continue this semester’s work from here, that is their personal choice but they will still be obligated to pay for their accommodation under the contract they have entered into with their landlord.’

The Minister said he is willing to speak to any student who is struggling with issues relating to the situation in UK universities but there is limited help the DESC can offer where rental agreements have been made.

Mr Moorhouse later turned his attention to the financial challenges being faced by Manx students.

Dr Allinson said: ’I know that the DESC has been approached by a few individuals who are finding this difficult, and we have directed them to the selection of endowments, bursaries, scholarships and educational trust funds which are on the student awards website.’