Student leaders have asked the competition watchdog to help get 'blanket refunds' for those whose studies were disrupted during the pandemic. Unions are seeking 'collective fee justice' which would see up to a million students compensated for lost face-to-face learning. An open letter, backed by student leaders at 19 universities across the UK, urges the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to address the 'broken' complaints process for those claiming refunds, and help advise students on their ability to withhold fee payments 'if they have lost out' due to the pandemic. The letter, which has also been signed by National Union of Students (NUS) president Larissa Kennedy, says: 'Students need an external organisation with no vested interest other than upholding students' rights to step in and give them the power to seek collective fee justice. The CMA must act now.'