After stopping building work on schools, preparing to privatise the NHS and slashing benefits, the Con-Dem coalition government has turned its attentions to higher education as part of its attempt to redistribute wealth upwards.
Senior management in universities, under pressure from the government, want to make staff and students pay for the cuts in funding.
While students face increased fees, reduced contact hours and poor resources, staff face attacks on jobs, pensions and conditions.
The National Union of Students (NUS) and the University and College Union (UCU) are therefore correct in calling a national demo on university funding for 10 November, before the decisions are made.
A key task is to link further with local and national anti-cuts campaigns and other TUC-affiliated unions. Even workers who did not attend university are furious that the opportunity to do so may be taken from their children and grandchildren.
The anti-cuts movements should demand the complete abolition of fees and enhanced public funding for teaching and research – demands that could win wide support.
But at the same time, we need an industrial strategy for the sector. UCU needs to ensure that national action is taken over jobs, pensions and privatisation, to protect a system of education and research it took centuries to build up and which, through public funding, was able to enhance the lives of thousands.
Join the UCU supported National Union of Students demonstration against education cuts:
Fund our future: Stop education cuts, 10 November, 11.30am, Horse Guards Avenue, London SW1
