Thousands of Queen's University Belfast students to get £400 cash payment as part of £7.69m cost-of-living support package

The university announced a series of measures to help both staff and students cope with the rapid increase in living costs in recent months, as the price of heating, food and other essentials continues to soar.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Queen’s said: “Following recommendations from a working group comprising the Students’ Union, trade union representatives and staff established last week, the university has agreed a package of new measures, including one-off payments to students and staff, particularly aimed at those most in need.

“A total of 3600 students who come from families earning under £25,000 per year will receive a one-off payment of £400 each with all other students receiving a one-off payment of £150.

“University staff, excluding senior management, will receive payments of between £500 - £750 dependent on salary level. The university will also allocate £600,000 into a student support fund focused on international students.”

University vice-chancellor professor Ian Greer said: “Students and staff are facing into a winter of financial uncertainty with escalating fuel, mortgage and food bills placing a significant strain on those most in need.

The University prioritises the health and wellbeing of our staff and students and, in consultation with them and trade union representatives, we have evaluated the most effective ways to implement these measures to support the Queen’s community during the escalating crisis.

A new student funding package of £5.7m allocated from University funds - in addition to £2.7 million of student support funding provided by the Department of Economy – has been agreed to deliver this raft of measures.

These new interventions are in addition to our current subsidised approach to membership of Queen’s Sport and to Childcare provision”.

Professor Greer added: “This package will have a significant impact on the University’s financial outlook for this academic year with £7.69 million being reallocated to support these new interventions on top of growing energy and operating costs. However, the University leadership and Senate decided it was important to move quickly to support our students and staff during the current crisis and absorb the cost of these new interventions.”