Northern Ireland fee rise rejection starts proper debate on university funding, says UCU

The union said it was pleased that the university funding debate was moving on beyond just how much fees should go up and confirmed that it would unveil its plans to fund universities through a progressive business education tax next Wednesday (3 March).

A leaked document reported in the Guardian newspaper this morning reveals that the review into student finance in Northern Ireland recommends the retention of the cap on university top-up fees and a detailed examination of other funding proposals. UCU's business education tax will explore how to meet the challenges of Lord Dearing's landmark 1997 report on the future of university funding where he noted that the beneficiaries of higher education should fit the bill.

Dearing said the three main beneficiaries were the graduate, the employer and the state. Since his report the state and students have met the rising cost of university funding while business has made a negligible contribution. Advance copies of the UCU report will be available from the UCU press office under strict embargo until 00.01 hours on Wednesday 3 March.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We are delighted that Northern Ireland appears to have rejected the lazy calls for an increase in top-up fees. For too long students have been expected to pick up the tab and it is time we explored all possible alternatives.

'Our plans for a business education tax, to be unveiled next week, will move the debate further away from tired discussions about how much fees should go up. Business has plenty to say when it comes to how our universities should be funded, but goes very quiet when it's suggested it should put its hand in its pocket.'