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  9. UCU comment on Labour policy to cut university fees

UCU comment on Labour policy to cut university fees

27 February 2015

Commenting on Ed Miliband's announcement to cut tuition fees to a maximum of £6,000 a year and raise the level of maintenance grant available to students, UCU said it welcomed any reduction in the cost of accessing higher education. However, it said that what students and staff really need is a long-term funding solution for universities which allows all who would benefit to go.

The union said it was disappointed that Labour has not grasped this opportunity to introduce a 'business education tax' (BET) - a modest, hypothecated increase in corporation tax - to abolish tuition fees. It said that its proposals would ensure the most profitable companies paid their fair share towards the higher education bill.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Any proposal to reduce the debts faced by students entering higher education is a step in the right direction. However, we are disappointed that Labour did not go further and opt for a business education tax. By modestly increasing corporation tax, tuition fees could be abolished altogether with the most profitable businesses paying their fair share towards the higher education bill. 

'We will be scrutinising the proposals in more detail to ensure that they provide a sensible and sustainable funding solution for universities. Students, parents and university staff need a long-term plan for higher education in England, which recognises its economic and social benefits and allows as many people to access it as possible.'

Last updated: 10 December 2015

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