BANNING unjabbed university students from lectures and halls of residence would be “highly discriminatory,” the University and College Union (UCU) has warned. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to be considering making vaccination compulsory for students in a bid to raise low take-up rates among young people, according to the Times. 

Today, Education Minister Vicky Ford repeatedly refused to rule out such a policy, saying that “one does need to look at every practicality to make sure that we can get students back safely and make sure that we can continue to prioritise education.”

But the UCU branded the proposal wrong, arguing that it would be highly discriminatory against both those unable to be vaccinated and international students. 

General secretary Jo Grady said: “Sadly, this looks and smells like a Prime Minister trying to pin the blame on students for not yet taking up a vaccine they haven’t been prioritised to receive.”

She said that Mr Johnson should instead work with universities and NHS providers to “sensitively encourage” students to accept vaccination. 

Fewer than 60 per cent of 18 to 25-year-olds have received their first jab in England, according to the latest official  figures.