Privatisation and for-profit education

UCU is calling for a clear statement that all services which are in the public good, including all forms of education, are explicitly excluded from the terms of the proposed trade deal between the European Union and the USA.

Since 2009/10, the year the coalition came in, grants and student loans to 'alternative providers' had risen more than tenfold from £22 million to £269 million. Our campaign briefing looks at the implications.

This document contains a summary of current UCU policy as adopted by the union's Education Committee during 2013-14.

UCU's manifesto for the 2015 general election

This short briefing gives an overview of legislation announced in the Queen's Speech on 18 May 2016.

UCU briefings on the 2017 Higher Education and Research Bill

Ahead of the general election on 8 June, UCU produced its manifesto outlining a number of key areas for investment and reform in post-school education and invited political parties of all stripes to work with us in developing a vision for well-resourced and accessible lifelong learning across the UK.

In February 2022, the UK government undertook a review of proposals for higher education reform, including student numbers and eligibility requirements, as well as setting out how the government plans to improve outcomes and rising costs and debt.