Politicians must set out plans for universities and colleges, says union ahead of education conference

Topics at UCU's Cradle to Grave conference at the Ambassadors Hotel Bloomsbury include post-16 education in the age of devolution, education and the general election, social mobility, university access and research.

Speakers include Guardian columnists Polly Toynbee and Zoe Williams, Green party leader Natalie Bennett, the Scottish Nationalist party MSP George Adam and the minister for education, skills and the Welsh language, Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas.

The event is a mix of plenaries and workshops. UCU president Liz Lawrence will host the morning plenary session looking at the importance of education in an age of disenchantment with politics.

Liz Lawrence said: 'UCU has 110,000 members, making us the largest post-school education trade union in the world.  We are part of Education International, which represents over 30 million educators in 170 countries and territories. The theme of the conference is 'the three Ds': what next for post-16 education in an increasingly diverse, disenchanted and devolved political system. 

'It was National Voter Registration Day on Thursday and I will be particularly keen to learn what delegates and speakers believe politicians need to offer voters in terms of educational provision. We want to see a free and fair education system.' 

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, will host the afternoon's plenary looking at how the current flux in the political system impacts on post-16 education and the prospects for a more progressive politics.

Sally Hunt said: 'UCU is an independent trade union, not affiliated to any political party. That means that while we are clear about what we stand for, members will make their own minds up in the forthcoming election.

'The days are gone when voters had just two choices. And we need to hear politicians of all stripes are offering voters ahead of the election. What we will be doing is spelling out for members what each party has said on colleges and universities so they can make their own decisions on polling day.'

You can follow events via Twitter at the hashtag #Cradle2Grave