International students 'fleeced' by introduction of ID cards

Added on 25/11/2008

NUS raises concerns over the government's plan to require compulsory identity cards and fingerprint collection for foreign nationals.

Today the government is set to roll out the next stage of its ID card proposals. From now on, all international students entering education or renewing their visa will be charged £30 for a compulsory ID card.

Singled out

NUS believes singling out international students from the rest of the student population could lead to increased discrimination and alienation for students already facing the daunting challenge of leaving home and studying in a foreign country.

“The attractiveness of UK higher education to students from other countries should not be put at risk by these onerous and costly procedures that implicitly treat them with suspicion," says NUS President Wes Streeting. "By singling out international students from their peers with biometric identity cards, a group already at risk of stigmatisation will be indelibly marked as different.”

Deterrent

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) often states its intention to increase the number of international students within the UK. Yet the enforced adoption of these cards could deter the very students our universities are seeking to attract, stripping universities of vital funding, and our campus communities of the cultural diversity we currently enjoy. Last week fifteen universities spoke out about the impracticalities of this scheme.

NUS is concerned that the Home Office and UK universities are simply not prepared to process the significant number of applications, potentially meaning international students could be denied access to a university not because of academic ability but as a result of administrative delays.

British citizens The government also plans to roll out voluntary ID cards for young people and students in 2010 ahead of proposals to make them compulsory for all British citizens.

Students’ Unions Stop AIDS

Added on 24/11/2008

On December 1, World AIDS Day, NUS will be joining Stop AIDS organisations from around the UK to call on political leaders to deliver their promise that by 2010 there will be universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Over 33 million people around the world now live with AIDS, killing over 330,000 children last year alone. In the UK, over 80,000 people live with HIV, and about a third don’t even realise it. Over 7000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There remains no cure or vaccine for AIDS, only treatments which slow the course of the disease. There are some drugs which reduce the mortality of those infected with HIV, but they are expensive and not routinely available in every country.

NUS in partnership with Stop AIDS is pushing for the patent pool. Patent pools can lower the cost of life-saving HIV medicines whilst ensuring that companies are rewarded for developing new drugs. Patent pools mean pharmaceutical companies allow generic versions of their drugs to be produced in return for a fair royalty. If introduced this could help millions around the world access the medicines they need to stay alive.

Join NUS in putting pressure on world leaders to Stop AIDS. Throughout December we shall be working with ACTSA to raise the profile of their campaigns and concerns related to HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa. Please come along to one of these events.

Whether or not you are able to attend our events there is plenty to do. Simply fill out this push for the pool petition; or you could get involved in your local Stop AIDS group.

Let us know if you have Stop Aids activities going on at your campuses, and do send us your photos.

For more information on the visit Student Stop AIDS Societies and World AIDS Day.

Support a windfall tax for social and environmental justice

Added on 11/08/2008

NUS President Wes Streeting, and other leaders from across the progressive community, civil society and from all corners of the UK, have joined forces to urge bill payers in the UK to get behind a campaign for a windfall tax on the energy and oil companies. A statement, co-ordinated by Compass, appeared in the guardian to promote this campaign.

Wes Streeting, NUS President said:“Rising energy and fuel prices are affecting everyone but it's the poorest and those on fixed incomes who are paying the heaviest price. Students will be particularly affected by this as the new academic year begins. The warm summer weather will not mask the anxiety and anger at dramatically rising bills for the essentials of life - light and heat.”

Progressive celebrities, academics, writers, journalists, campaigners, trade unionists and politicians are backing a sensible one-off windfall tax because they believe it's the right thing to do in order to deliver social and environmental justice for all. Despite billions made in profits, the energy industry spends just £50 million a year combating fuel poverty and has only agreed to raise this to £150 million a year by 2010. But every 10 per cent increase in energy prices mean an extra 400,000 people go into fuel poverty.

Signatories include Lord Hattersley, Lord Richard Rogers, Tony Woodley (Unite), Billy Hayes (CWU), Dave Prentis (UNISON), Mark Serwotka (PCS), Neal Lawson, (Compass), Friends of the Earth, Kate Green (CPAG), Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Tony Juniper, and more than 30 Labour MPs.

Take action now

We urge you and your students to add your voice to this growing campaign and to support a windfall tax for social and environmental justice by signing up online.

Passionate about climate change?

Added on 14/07/2008

NUS is looking for a handful of officers who have a interest in environmental policy and practice to participate in a exciting round table discussion with Baroness Morgan on Wednesday 23 July. This is an opportunity to give direction to the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills on how it can support students to take action to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. NEC members Susan Nash and Elizabeth Somerville will lead the round table discussion but would like to invite student officers with a particular responsibility/mandate to attend and enrich the discussion.

We are looking for officers whose role it is to campaign or implement ethical and environmental changes in their union, however we will consider applications from those who demonstrate a strong knowledge and leadership in broader campaigns on climate change issues.

Given the short turnaround time needed please send no more than 200 words about the role of students in helping to lead the way on meeting the challenge of climate change to jean.mclean@nus.org.uk. Attendees would need to be available from 3:00pm-8:00pm, and DIUS will cover all expenses. Applications will close on Wednesday 16 July and we will inform the successful applicants on Friday 18 July.

George Bush is coming to London

Added on 06/06/2008

George Bush is coming to London and, to coincide with that, a demonstration is taking place in London on 15 June. NUS wants to make the Stop the War demonstration on 15 June a rallying point for all those opposed to the ongoing wars that have marked Bush’s time in the White House.

Join NUS and the Stop the War Coalition as we demonstrate for an end to Bush's war policies. Bring your students’ union banners, student societies and friends.

Date 15 June

Location London

Further details to be confirmed

Downloads

Black and white leaflet

Colour leaflet