A unified approach to testing students for coronavirus ahead of their return to universities after Christmas must be agreed across the UK, the Liberal Democrats have urged.

In a joint letter to the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments, the party called for plans to be confirmed before students travel home next month.

The Government has announced a travel window from December 3-9 so students can spend the festive period with their families, with additional testing offered before they depart.

But the Lib Dems are demanding ministers agree a plan for how to facilitate their return, amid fears that there could be another spike in cases among students in January.

Party leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The conditions students faced in England in September were unsafe and unfair.

“Many spent weeks in isolation without enough support and some campuses took the unbelievable decision to put fences around student accommodation.

“The UK Government and the devolved administrations must reach common agreement on universal testing arrangements.

“Every student should have access to testing before they return for the new term.”