A full room to hear union general secretaries and the Shadow Secretary of State for Education speak

Teachers, students and parents from across the country attended the rally and lobby of parliament to protest against cuts in the Building Schools for the Future programme and to voice concerns about academies and free schools – the Academies Bill is currently being rushed through all of it’s parliamentary stages.

Banners at the rally

You can see more about the lobby and campaign here: www.teachers.org.uk and here www.nasuwt.org.uk. UCU are also affiliated to the Anti-Academies Alliance which has new resources on academies here: http://www.antiacademies.org.uk/Home/news/antiacademiesnewspaper

Text of letter

Dear Member of Parliament,

On behalf of the University and College Union (UCU) may I offer you our congratulations on your election in May.

UCU is the biggest post-16 education union in the world, representing some 120,000 educators working in Higher, Further and Adult Education. We recently produced a short film focusing on ‘A day in the life of UCU’, looking at the vital work our members carry out – educating, training, and providing valuable life skills to millions of students and learners every year. I know that you will already be aware of the impact of education in your own community, but our short film may give you an insight into the work our members undertake in other parts of the country too. I thought you may like to take a few minutes to watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4TCWLd6c1M

I hope after watching the film you will have a better appreciation of the variety of ways that post-16 education is helping to dig us out of recession, and why it is more important than ever that we continue to invest in high quality education. The film is also a powerful reminder that the cost of accessing education should not increase, lest all the wonderful work of our members be undermined.

I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss our work with you in the future. More than 100 MPs signed up to our ‘Make Education Count’ campaign – if you’d like to learn more then please drop me a line or visit www.makeeducationcount.org.uk

Sally Hunt
General Secretary, University and College Union

www.ucu.org.uk

Dear All,

Please find below a link to the University and College Union’s YouTube Channel. If you cut and paste either of these links, it will take you straight into a short video and update on the UCU’s UK-wide “Make Education Count” campaign.

In Northern Ireland, you may remember being invited to the launch of the Make Education Count Campaign in the Long Gallery, where UCU teamed up with both the Ulster Teachers Union and Irish National Teachers Organisation – to ask MLAs and MPs to sign up to the Make Education Count concept and ideals.

Over thirty MLAs and five MPs signed up to the Make Education Count campaign in principle as follows:

“I want to make sure that everyone, no matter what their background, or where they are from, has access to the education they need to achieve their aspirations. I support the Make Education Count Northern Ireland Network”.

You may recall that you received a Make Education Count Constituency Profile Booklet which showed just how stark some of the inequalities in educational attainment and access to education still is here in Northern Ireland, in 2010.

Your commitment is valued and appreciated. We would however, like to see more MLAs and MPs commit to the campaign in principle.

This link to UCU’s YouTube channel – contains some stark facts and figures; it also has some excellent case studies and examples of projects and initiatives that are making educational opportunities open and accessible to people who have traditionally found it difficult to engage in Further and Higher Education – for example, young offenders or people who have been through the prison system; or people with Learning Disabilities; mental health or physical disability.

www.youtube.com/ucuwebteam

http://youtu.be/u4TCWLd6c1M

UCU knows that financially, Government’s have difficult fiscal decisions to make – but short-term fixes are always a poor, shoddy solution. Long term investment in Further and Higher Education is the key to economic and political stability in Northern Ireland.

We hope you enjoy the video – which includes statistics such as:

• Adult education has been shown to increase life expectancy by up to five years
• The number of vocational qualifications awarded by Colleges has risen by 90% in the last decade.
• With just one per cent of the world’s population, the UK publishes 8% of all academic papers. The UK has the most efficient research system in the world.
• Offenders who take education courses are three times LESS likely to re-offend
• Over 100 Parliamentarians – and around 30 MLAs – have signed up to the Make Education Count Network.

UCU in Northern Ireland is hoping that more MLAs will join us in our aspiration to make further and higher education not just an aspiration, but a reality for all those who want to access education; when and where they want it.

Remember, the Right to an Education is enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998.

With regards

Julie McCaughan

University and College Union

Maiden speech by new members

Jenny Chapman MP, Darlington, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-07c.25.2&s=speaker%3A24711#g58.2

Lilian Greenwood MP, Nottingham South, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-03b.600.0&s=speaker%3A24774#g650.0

Nicola Blackwood MP, Oxford West and Abingdon, Conservative

Emma Reynolds MP, Wolverhampton North East, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-02b.455.2&s=speaker%3A24868#g496.0

Gavin Barwell MP, Croydon South, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-02b.455.2&s=speaker%3A24863#g502.0

Duncan Hames MP, Chippenham, Liberal Democrat

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-02b.455.2&s=speaker%3A24865#g491.0

Gavin Shuker MP, Luton South, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-02b.455.2&s=speaker%3A24847#g493.0

Robert Halfon MP, Harlow, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-02b.455.2&s=speaker%3A24784#g487.0

Mark Garnier MP, Wyre Forest, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-03b.600.0&s=speaker%3A24824#g628.0

Julie Elliot MP, Sunderland Central, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-03b.600.0&s=speaker%3A24710#g645.0

Jeremy Lefroy MP, Stafford, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-05-26a.174.2&s=speaker%3A24760#g237.1

James Morris MP, Halesown and Rowley Regis, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-05-26a.174.2&s=speaker%3A24855#g233.0

Gordon Birtwistle MP, Burnley, Liberal Democrat

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-05-26a.174.2&s=speaker%3A24793#g248.0

Dr Julian Huppert MP, Cambridge, Liberal Democrat

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-05-26a.174.2&s=speaker%3A24892#g256.0

Robin Walker MP, Worcester, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-08b.183.2&s=speaker%3A24862#g230.0

Alun Cairns MP, Vale of Glamorgan, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-08b.183.2&s=speaker%3A24740#g247.0

Alex Cunningham MP, Stockton North, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-08b.183.2&s=speaker%3A24742#g257.0

Ian Murray MP, Labour, Edinburgh South

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-08b.183.2&s=speaker%3A24872#g264.0

Tom Greatrex MP, Rutherglen and Hamilton West, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-05-27b.304.3&s=speaker%3A24714#g357.0

Peter Aldous MP, Waveny, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-05-27b.304.3&s=speaker%3A24904#g377.0

Pat Glass MP, North West Durham, Labour

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-16a.886.1&s=speaker%3A24917#g931.0

Eric Ollerenshaw MP, Lancaster and Fleetwood, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-21a.52.0&s=speaker%3A24967#g82.2

Jane Ellison MP, Battersea, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2010-06-17a.1097.0

Andrew Stephenson MP, Pendle, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-17a.1067.0&s=speaker%3A24759#g1107.0

Mel Stride MP, Central Devon, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2010-06-17a.1111.0

Amber Rudd MP, Hastings and Rye, Conservative

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-06-17a.1067.0&s=speaker%3A24795#g1117.0

Note: this is not an exhaustive list, if you want to check what your MP said in their maiden speech (if they are new to Parliament this time round) go to www.theyworkforyou.com.

Measures welcomed by UCU. Even if they didn’t go far enough, include freezing the Civil List; introducing a banking levy that could yield £2 billion for the Exchequer and an increase in Capital Gains Tax.

There were, however, a number of measures that are more concerning; measures that will disproportionately impact on low income families.

Corporation Tax

A 4% decrease in corporation tax was announced by the Chancellor. UCU has roundly denounced this decision at a time when all public services are taking a hit, VAT is being increased and child benefit frozen.

You can see the UCU press release criticising the decision here and making the case for an increase in corporation tax in order to abolish tuition fees: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4712

Public Sector Pay Freeze

The one year public sector pay freeze has been extended to a two year freeze. Anyone who earns under £21,000 will be awarded a flat rate £250 pay increase, which amounts to a real terms cut in pay for most people.

Student Loan Book to be sold

The Student Loan Book sale has been on the cards for a long time. It has been re-announced by the coalition government – no details of the exact terms are available at this time.

VAT increase

From January 4^th, VAT will increase from 17.5% to 20%. This has been a standard policy for Tory governments of the past – Thatcher increased VAT from 8% to 15% and John Major from 15% to 17.5%. It is well known that VAT is a regressive tax which disproportionately impacts those on low incomes.

Freeze in Child Benefit

Child Benefit will be frozen for three years. Depending on the level of inflation, this could amount to a real terms cut in support for children.

Other measures include:

• Housing benefit reform – a package has been announced that will cap claims at £400 per week and save £1.8 billion;
• Health in Pregnancy grant has been cut;
• SureStart maternity grant will now be limited to the first child only;
• New medical assessment will be introduced for new and existing incapacity benefit claimants from 2013;
• Cuts to child tax credits – some of this will be mitigated by an increase in personal tax allowance but unlike tax credits, this allowance is not targeted.

Alan Whitaker speaking at Compass conference

Alan opened proceedings speaking about how cuts are impacting post-16 education. He spoke about cuts to FE, HE and adult learning and how those cuts made no sense for society, individuals or the economy.

Alan was incredibly passionate about the need to ensure that access to education is not based on the ability to pay. A big bank balance should not lead to greater opportunities in life.

Alan’s speech will be available on the blog soon.

Fiona Millar spoke next about the need to ensure fair access to comprehensive education. As a mother and school governor she spoke about her own experiences and spoke out strongly against the upcoming Academies Bill.

Kevin Courtney rallied against the marketisation of education and the need to make sure that all children and young people, where ever they are from, have a good local school in their communities. He also spoke vehemently against the proposals being brought forward by the government on academy schools – you can see more about the NUT campaign here: http://www.nut.org.uk/ 

Lisa Nandy MP addressing the UCU/NUT meeting at Compass conference

Lisa Nandy, a newly elected MP, spoke about the need to make members’ voices heard, that there should be no doubt in MP’s minds what their constituents want. She also applauded measures like EMA and decried the implementation of fees before speaking passionately about her own constituency and how financial barriers really impact people in Wigan.

Jon Trickett MP addresses UCU/NUT meeting at Compass conference

Jon Trickett MP, who has previously campaigned with education unions to oppose measures such as tuition fees spoke about the whole education spectrum from cradle to grave. He referenced UCUs ‘Location, Location, Location’ report and said that is intrinsically unfair that someone in his constituency should have less chance of reaching higher education than someone from a wealthy area in London.

The event was packed out with standing room only. Stephanie Peacock, a recent graduate  who plans to become a teacher in the Autumn, was the panel chair. She is also the Youth Representative on the Labour Party NEC. 

Thank you to everyone who came along!

• UCU response tp the 2010 Queen’s Speech, May 10 (.pdf) [51kb]
• UCU response tp the 2010 Queen’s Speech, May 10 (.doc) [162kb]

UCU have worked with a number of MPs over the last parliamentary term and will be sad to see supporters leave parliament – some because they have stood down, some because the electorate said so. Notable losses are Rob Marris in Wolverhampton, Phil Willis in Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tim Boswell in Daventry, Ian Stewart in Eccles and Evan Harris in Oxford.

The new intake of MPs are finding their feet. Getting into the swing of being an MP is not as easy as you might think. Offices have to be emptied then assigned again, staff hired, security checks carried out and positions allocated – this can take months. You can see some of the new crop here as they get their official photograph taken: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677250.stm

The obvious talking points right now are the Lib-Con coalition and the Labour Party leadership competition. It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months on the Lib Dems commitment to scrap tuition fees, amongst other things. The coalition document that was issued by both parties says that the Libs would abstain on a vote should they find the conclusion of Lord Browne’s review to be ‘unacceptable’.  You can see the full coalition document here.

So far, ministers that will work on UCU issues include: David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science. Vince Cable MP will be the secretary of state who will ultimately be responsible for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. UCU had hoped that a new government would give post-16 education a proper footing in a department devoted to education, it seems that this will not be happening. Michael Gove MP will lead the Department for Education but as far as we know at the moment, post-16 will remain (mostly) in BIS.

There have been two appointments to the ministerial team in BIS – these are John Hayes MP and and Mark Prisk MP. Both ministers of state are Conservative MPs. John Hayes was previously a shadow further education minister so it is possible he will be taking over this portfolio in government – we will keep you posted!

Ten candidates vying for the seats in Northampton North and South attended, including those representing the three major parties, the Green Party, UKIP, Save Our Public Services and two independents.

The candidates were asked to prepare answers to questions submitted by UCU. These questions centred around Higher Education issues including funding, student tuition fees, widening participation and the role of research in a time of economic recession. In addition, questions were asked from the floor by both staff and students.

There was a productive and open debate that maintained a clear focus throughout. Opinions differed around the need to either scrap or extend tuition fees, with a majority aiming to scrap. These views were tempered by the manifesto commitments of the three main party delegates.

The importance of research was emphasised with all candidates supporting both academic freedom and “blue skies” thinking. The need to maintain a balance between arts, science and business was noted.