UCU welcomes graduate employment figures, but warns government against using them to justify regressive funding policies

The union said that a university education offered students so many opportunities, but warned the government against considering regressive policies that would restrict access to university. UCU added that more graduates made for a better society and urged the government to consider ways to continue university expansion.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We have always argued that university has the power to improve people's quality of life. However, the government must not use these figures to justify piling more debt on prospective students or their families. There is a clear economic case to be made for investing in our graduates. Aside from the obvious benefits of more teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers etc, graduates are less likely to commit crimes, they are less likely to be a burden on the NHS and less likely to stretch the creaking benefits system.

'We are pleased that so many graduates are finding satisfying jobs and we now need to work harder to ensure that more people have the opportunity to experience university and the benefits it can bring. Those opportunities must not be restricted to people who are prepared to pile up large debts. The government needs to be bold and make the case for continued university expansion and to properly fund it.'

Full details and the report can be found from the HESA press release.