With the Welsh border to England to be closed until early December, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has called for assurance from the First Minister that the restrictions will not prevent Welsh students at Universities in England returning home when the term ends.

Mr Isherwood questioned Mark Drakeford over the matter in today’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament.

He said: “Further to your announcement that the border will be shut until the new lockdown in England ends on December 2nd, what assurance can you give to Welsh students in term-time residence at Universities in England that they will be able to come home to Wales for Christmas and the holiday season after University terms end early in December?”

Replying, Mr Drakeford said that in yesterday’s COBRA meeting, it was agreed that there should be a further rapid meeting between the four nations of the United Kingdom in order to plan together for the Christmas period, “to deal with exactly the sort of issues that Mark Isherwood raised about students living on either side of the border during term time and having homes to which they wish to return.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said:

“I welcome the four-nation approach to this. Our young people have endured so much disturbance to their lives throughout this pandemic with virtual learning, exams being cancelled, the results debacle and the limited university experience. It is therefore crucial that we consider the impact this year has had on their mental health and ensure that they can return home to their families for Christmas.”

ENDS