UCU responds to report showing universities' value to economy has increased

A report from Universities UK (UUK) reveals that universities in the UK generate £59 billion for the UK economy, putting the higher education sector ahead of the agricultural, advertising, pharmaceutical and postal industries.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Our higher education sector should be celebrated for all the work it does. Staff are educating more students than ever before and the sector is generating considerable sums for the economy. However, it is still under threat. This year we have seen government budget cuts, numerous institutions announce job cuts and yesterday's higher education framework painted a worrying picture of a future where students will become even more like consumers, rather than learners.

'We have to ensure that the experts have a proper say in the future of our higher education system. It is absolutely vital that the imminent review into the future of higher education funding properly listens to those on the front line doing all the successful hard work at the moment.'

• Full details of the UUK report