UCU response to Prime Minister's speech on university fees

The union warned that the prime minister's clear desire to open a market in higher education would lead to students and their families deciding what course to study based on its price. UCU added that the government's plans were untested and in stark contrast to what was happening in other countries around the world.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Listening to the prime minister this afternoon, I can only conclude that he does not fully understand his government's proposals for the future of university funding or the impact they will have.
 
'The introduction of a market in our universities will lead to students making their choice of degree based on its price. That might not be an issue for the millionaires in the cabinet, but it will be for tens of thousands of students and their hard-working families.
 
'Other countries around the world, including those name-checked by the prime minister in his speech, are investing in their universities. It is only us and Romania who is cutting funding.'