UWS Café Staff

That the Parliament notes with concern the decision taken by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) not to furlough 16 café staff who are on zero-hour contracts; understands that these workers are students who have no access to universal credit and therefore rely on the income from their work at the café to support themselves through their studies; considers that the university’s offer of support through hardship funds is unacceptable and a wholly inadequate alternative to the safety net offered through the furlough scheme; understands that the Department for Work and Pensions has advised the students to request that the university place them on furlough, and demands that management at UWS reverse its decision immediately.