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General Election 2024: Student Minds’ look at party manifestos

21/6/2024

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As Student Minds is a registered charity, we aren’t party-political, and we pride ourselves on building consensus to improve student mental health. In April, we published our Student Mental Health Manifesto (SMHM), sharing our ambitious, whole-society vision for the next government. The Manifesto lays out five key themes for change, making both urgent and long-term recommendations. Now the general election has been called, political candidates and parties are campaigning for your vote, and sharing their plans for if they get elected.

Here, we explore some of the key proposals made by the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, under the themes covered in the Student Mental Health Manifesto. We’ve considered the parties fielding candidates across the UK for this piece, but will provide a similar look at parties in the devolved nations soon. 

Student Minds does not endorse any particular party or candidate. We hope students, staff, and everybody who cares about student mental health will use this information as insight into each party’s platform, but the choice of who to vote for is yours.

​It’s important to do your own research
and check out party manifestos as well as pledges by candidates, including independent candidates, in your constituency. We note that this article is not a comprehensive nor exhaustive account of all party manifestos and shouldn’t be taken as such. 


Remember that your vote matters.​
View this information in a grid format (.PDF download)
Note: to ensure impartiality, we have used the wording and framing used within each manifesto wherever possible. This helps us ensure we describe each party’s views as they do and ensures we remain impartial. You may find some of the wording below disagreeable.

​
Party policies do not reflect the views of Student Minds.

Healthcare

What does the Student Mental Health Manifesto say? 
“All students should have access to quality and timely mental health support. We’re calling for an urgent commitment to increase funding for the NHS and improve support for healthcare staff and students. We also want to see a long term commitment to ensure the sustainability and improvement of mental health services, and improved support for students and young people who experience poor mental health.”​
What the parties say:
  • ​The Conservatives want to open early support hubs for those aged 11-25 in every local community by 2030 and increase NHS Talking Therapies capacity by 50%. They aim to “increase NHS spending above inflation every year, recruiting 92,000 more nurses and 28,000 more doctors, driving up productivity in the NHS and moving care closer to people’s homes.”​
  • The Green Party wants to ensure that the rights of those struggling with their mental health are respected and that a legal framework supports all people to live fulfilling lives. They want to put mental health on an equal footing with physical health. They also plan to “tackle the crisis in staff retention through pushing for an immediate and additional increase to the budgets for NHS staff costs,” as well as improving access to NHS dentistry. Finally, they support junior doctors’ calls for pay restoration.
  • Labour seek to improve early access to mental health services, introducing mental health hubs for young people (up to age 25) in every community as well as mental health check-ups. The party pledges to recruit 8,500 more mental health staff, creating a significant increase in capacity. They want to cut NHS waiting times with 40,000 extra appointments each week and have proposed a “Dentistry Rescue Plan.” They want mental health to get the same focus and attention as physical health.
  • The Liberal Democrats want to “improve early access to mental health services by establishing mental health hubs for young people in every community and introducing regular mental health check-ups at key points in people’s lives when they are most vulnerable to mental ill-health.” They will guarantee access to an NHS dentist for everybody and end “dentistry deserts”. They aim to provide 8,000 more GPs so that everybody can be seen by their GP within seven days, or twenty-four hours if urgent.
Our thoughts:
We’re pleased to see a commitment to funding early support hubs for young people across so many manifestos. We’re also encouraged to see the pressures on NHS staff acknowledged, with measures to improve staffing as another common theme.

​We hope this will reduce workloads for individual staff, reducing burnout and waiting times for support.Support targeted at young people isn’t available to all students, so we would want to see assurances that mature students who are not eligible to use the early support hubs can access timely alternative care.
​

Financial Hardship

What does the Student Mental Health Manifesto say? 
“All students should have enough money to support them through their studies. This requires a review of existing student funding systems nationwide, reversing real-terms cuts due to inflation, increasing entitlement thresholds based on household income, restructuring Postgraduate Taught finance, and introducing maintenance funding for part time students. We identify immediate changes to alleviate cost-of-living pressures such as a winter fuel allowance, increasing the minimum wage for all 18 year-olds to the Real Living Wage, further subsidising public transport, and introducing payments for healthcare students on placement. Students’ specific experiences must be accounted for when policies designed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis are developed.”​​
What the parties say:
  • ​​​The Conservatives, arguing that mental health conditions don’t incur additional living expenses the way that physical conditions do, want to reform the benefits system so fewer people with mental health conditions receive support. They argue that they have already made student loans fairer while in government.
  • The Green Party seek to reintroduce maintenance grants and raise the minimum wage to £15 per hour for all. They also want to abolish tuition fees and, in the long-term, graduate student loan debt. They will campaign for a maximum 10:1 pay ratio for all private and public sector organisations, meaning the highest earner in an organisation can’t be paid above 10x more than the lowest earner(s).
  • Labour have pledged that minimum wage will be a “genuine living wage” and they will change the remit of the Independent Low Pay Commission to also factor in cost-of-living in their work.
  • The Liberal Democrats want to introduce a 20% higher minimum wage for those on zero-hours contracts for times of “normal demand” to compensate for the instability of their working patterns. They plan to re-introduce maintenance grants for disadvantaged students immediately. The Liberal Democrats also say they will recognise the relationship between mental health and debt, and provide better signposting between talking therapies and debt advice.
Our thoughts:
We’re delighted that multiple parties have taken up our recommendation to reinstate maintenance grants for university students. Equally, policies to raise the minimum wage are welcome - though we continue to support calls for the minimum wage to be in line with the Real Living Wage.

​We will  continue to advocate for further support for healthcare students during their studies. We also would’ve liked to have seen more on tackling the costs of basic necessities, raising student maintenance allowances retrospectively to account for almost a decade of real-time cuts, and a student winter fuel allowance. More needs to be done to ensure students have enough money to support them through their studies.​
​

Higher education 

What does the Student Mental Health Manifesto say? 
“Our higher education institutions need improved support and investment. The funding model for higher education must be reviewed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector without compromising on staff or student wellbeing. Clarity on the roles and responsibilities of universities and statutory health services must be provided to ensure mental health support is delivered appropriately. Continued political and financial support for the University Mental Health Charter should be given to enable these improvements through a whole-university approach. Higher education should be given greater esteem in recognition of its positive contribution to our economy and society rather than being undermined by “culture war” narratives.”​
What the parties say:
  • The Conservatives want to close courses with an “excessive” number of dropouts, or where they believe students are financially worse off for having attended. They want assurances that students will receive their minimum contact hours.
  • The Green Party argue that marketisation has been “disastrous” for higher education. They plan to “tackle the challenges posed by changes to employer contributions for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS)” within universities.
  • Labour, rather than focusing on value for money, want to work on ensuring “teaching standards” are met through courses. They want to deliver a “secure future for higher education”. Arguing that higher education is in crisis, Labour seek to pursue a “comprehensive” approach to post-16 education which will guarantee training, help finding work, or apprenticeships, for all 18-21 -year-olds.
  • The Liberal Democrats seek to implement both a statutory duty of care for universities and a statutory “Student Mental Health Charter”. They want to "establish a review of higher education finance in the next Parliament”, exploring any necessary reforms while focusing on access, participation, and quality. They want to stop retrospective repayment hikes and for student loan debt not to be sold to the private sector.
Our thoughts:
These manifestos offer a variety of perspectives around what needs to be done for higher education, but seem to be in consensus that the sector is not in good shape. We’re pleased to see some parties highlight the need for a strong higher education sector which is fully enabled to succeed, which we believe entails adequate funding, an end to the culture wars, and a refocus on quality over “value for money.”

e are keen to see more detail as to how the sector can be sustainably funded and how quality higher education will be accessible to all students, without breaking the bank or sacrificing staff welfare.
​

Inclusive healthcare and education 

What does the Student Mental Health Manifesto say? 
“All students should have access to inclusive education and healthcare without facing barriers. The government must urgently improve support for marginalised communities, including trans, international, and disabled students; ensuring university communities are protected from discrimination and hate speech. We’re calling for a long-term commitment to building truly inclusive education and healthcare systems, free from cultural, social and physical barriers.” ​
What the parties say:
  • The Conservatives wish to remove the student discount for the immigration health surcharge and seek to end the ability of “almost all” international students to bring their dependents with them to the UK. They want to continue to modernise autism and learning disability services and deliver on the Disability Action Plan to make the UK the “most accessible country in the world”.
  • The Green Party aims to end the hostile environment policy for international students and also remove the restriction that international students have no recourse to public funds. They want to retain a “full, evidence-based and age appropriate programme of Relationships, Sex and Health Education, including LGBTIQA+ content and resources.” The Greens also want to provide free personal care for disabled people. Finally, the Greens want to see access to evidence-based mental health therapies within 28 days, and tailored support for different groups such as children, older people, LGBTQ+ people, racialised people, and more.
  • Labour state they want to build the UK’s “international soft power” but do not make specific reference to international students within their manifesto. Labour wish to protect LGBT+ and disabled people by making all existing strands of hate crime an aggravated offence. Labour will introduce ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting.
  • The Liberal Democrats pledge for international students not to be counted as part of wider statistics concerning immigration. They also intend to develop a comprehensive strategy for promoting the decriminalisation of homosexuality and advancing LGBT+ rights. The Liberal Democrats aim to give disabled people more say in the design of policies affecting them.
Our thoughts:
We note that international students pay far more for their degree, and often pay out of pocket, yet face more barriers to mental health support and academic success. We’re pleased to see some parties begin to recognise this area but would like to see them go further. We would not support a decision to remove the student discount on the Immigration Health Surcharge, and instead believe the surcharge should be removed or reduced further for international students.

​We are pleased to see multiple parties confirm their pledge to protect the rights of LGBT+ people but note that many LGBT+ students don’t feel safe in their university communities (or society). We want to see more specific measures to tackle discrimination and particularly transphobia across our country. We welcome initiatives to commence ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, but are also keen to hear what more the parties propose to do to tackle barriers to success faced by racialised and disabled students in healthcare and education.
​

A mentally healthier nation 

What does the Student Mental Health Manifesto say? 
“We must move towards a holistic approach to the mental health and wellbeing of the nation, improving support, prevention, and equality. This includes, but is not limited to, early intervention and preventative policies for healthcare, suicide prevention, and embedding mental health and wellbeing into curriculums, to support transitions into and out of higher education. We are calling for the government to improve the state of housing in the country, particularly tenants’ rights in the rental sector, commit to protecting green space and invest in mental health research.”
What the parties say:
  • The Conservatives want to introduce a Renters Reform Bill, abolishing Section 21 (no-fault) evictions. They aim to deliver net zero carbon emissions by 2050. They aim to introduce national service for eighteen year-olds. They also want to increase school attendance through “improved mental health support”.
  • The Greens aim to end no-fault evictions and grant local authorities the ability to control rents. They also want to invest £30bn in tackling the climate crisis. They plan to introduce Private Residential Tenancy Boards which they hope will provide a speedy, fair avenue for the resolution of any disputes between tenants and landlords. The Greens will “push for more accessible and prompt mental health needs assessments for children and adolescents” as well as providing “a trained and paid counsellor in every primary and secondary school, and every sixth-form college”.
  • Labour want to end no-fault evictions, give tenants the power to challenge landlords over unfair rent increases, and “decisively raise standards”. They aim to ensure homes in the private rented sector meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2030. Labour also plan to deliver zero-carbon electricity by 2030. Labour aim to provide specialist mental health staff in every school. Finally, Labour are seeking to reduce deaths by suicide through early intervention and access to mental health support through their “Young Futures” hubs.
  • The Liberal Democrats also want to end no-fault evictions, on top of introducing a standard, three-year tenancy, and creating a register of landlords. They want to reach net zero by 2045. They also want to improve suicide prevention training for frontline NHS staff and focus on community suicide prevention services. Finally, the Liberal Democrats want there to be a mental health professional in every school.
Our thoughts:
We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping students in mind when designing policy interventions in that sector, so we would like to see more on this pressing topic. However, reforms like the abolition of no-fault evictions and improving energy efficiency in private sector housing will also be accessible to students.

We are concerned that students are often disempowered to negotiate with landlords, have lesser financial resources and often move addresses annually, so we would be keen to see what specific housing protections can be afforded them in the next government. We are also encouraged to see multiple mentions of net zero but would urge parties to be ambitious and deliberate in their approach to the climate crisis. 
​​

Sources and further reading

Our resources
  • The Student Mental Health Manifesto - Student Minds
  • General Election Hub - Student Minds
  • General Election - Student Space
Party manifestos
  • The Conservative Manifesto
  • The Green Party Manifesto
  • Labour’s Manifesto
  • The Liberal Democrats Manifesto
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Responding to the rise in student protests across UK campuses, following ongoing violence in the Middle East

10/6/2024

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Like many, we have watched the unfolding violence in Palestine with great sadness, frustration, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. In December, we committed to continuing to support students and challenging injustice where we see it. We also expressed our sincere hopes for peace, and are therefore upset and disappointed to be sharing a similar statement six months later. 

It is impossible to comprehend the images, videos, and personal testimonies being shared on social media. The extent of the loss and destruction being experienced is devastating, and our thoughts remain with everybody impacted by the events that have taken place on, and since, the 7th October, as well as all who this longstanding conflict has impacted. 

Many students across the UK care deeply about peace in the Middle East and have chosen to exercise their right to protest. For decades, student movements have truly changed the world and remind us how powerful and influential the student population can be. We support everybody’s right to express their views safely and peacefully. 

As we reflected in our previous statement, we remain deeply concerned by the sustained increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia being reported on campuses and within student communities. This is unacceptable. Universities should be safe spaces for students to exercise free speech and their right to protest, whilst ensuring no student feels unsafe on campus. Students and staff also have a responsibility to ensure that peaceful protests do not act as an excuse for discrimination and hate speech. 

During such a difficult and upsetting period, it’s important that we look after ourselves and each other. Social media and the news can feel overwhelming, and it’s ok to switch off sometimes to protect your own wellbeing. If you want to talk, try reaching out to your friends, family, or your university for support. The most important thing is doing what works for you. 

Along with many students, we stand with the humanitarian community and colleagues across the higher education and charity sectors in supporting calls for an immediate ceasefire and immediate release of all hostages.


Support and Community
  • Student Minds- Managing the impact of global events
  • Student Minds - Five steps to healthy digital habits 
  • Union of Jewish Students
  • ​Find your JSoc
  • Federation of Student Islamic Societies 
  • ​Muslim Youth Helpline 
  • Jami - Mental health support for Jewish communities
​
Reporting incidents of antisemitism or Islamophobia 
  • Reporting hate crime to the police
  • TellMAMA 
  • ​Community Security Trust ​

More information
  • Student Minds adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2022. You can find out more about the IHRA definition on the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s website. 
  • ​The Muslim Council of Britain has information about tackling Islamophobia available on their website. 
  • ​Middle East Crisis Response Guidance for students, SUs, Officers and student groups, developed by NUS. 
    ​
If you are a student involved or interested in protesting, find out more about your rights on Liberty’s website.​
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  • About
    • What we do >
      • Our strategy
      • Our impact
    • Our team >
      • Trustees
      • Clinical Advisors
      • University Mental Health Charter Assessors
      • Student Advisors
      • Anti-Racism Council
    • Our supporters
  • Find Support
    • Support for me >
      • Support at your university and further
      • University staff-run workshops
      • Student stories
    • Support for a friend >
      • Starting a conversation
      • Looking after yourself
    • Support for parents
    • Cost of living
    • Resources >
      • Men’s Mental Health
      • The Wellbeing Thesis
      • Transitions >
        • Transition into University
        • Know Before You Go
        • Transitions for staff
      • Starting University
      • Exam stress
      • LGBTQ+
      • Looking after your mental wellbeing
      • Year Abroad
      • Student finance
      • Support through a family health crisis
  • Get Involved
    • Student opportunities
    • Staff opportunities
    • General supporter opportunities
  • Training
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Research and publications >
      • Reports >
        • Student Mental Health Manifesto
        • Climate change and student mental health
        • Part-time, distance learner and commuter students
        • International Students
        • Life in a Pandemic
        • Supporting Students with Eating Disorders
        • The Role of an Academic
        • LGBTQ+ Research​
        • Student Voices
        • Graduate Wellbeing
        • Grand Challenges
        • University Challenge
        • Looking After a Mate
        • Summary of HEFCE’s Report
      • Consultation Responses
      • Insight Briefings >
        • Student Mental Health in a Pandemic >
          • Life in a pandemic: Wave II findings
        • Disabled students and Mental Health
      • Student Advisory Committee Reflections
      • Good practice guides >
        • Student Living
        • Co-producing Mental Health Initiatives With Student Volunteers
        • Podcasting About Mental Health
        • Co-producing mental health strategies with students
        • Supporting Male Student Mental Health
  • Support Us
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