That 5 May Day of Action in full...

Picket lines solid

The striking branches in London and Brighton reported that picket lines were well attended and the strikes well-observed. There were noisy protests in support of the pickets outside College of Haringey, Enfield and North-East London. At Richmond-upon-Thames College, the branch reported that 'it was the best action we have ever organised... Picketing began at 7.00am. Over a hundred took part. An estimated 200-250 at an impromptu rally outside the college at 12.15 when we were joined by a lot of support workers and by a good spread of students'. The branch at Sussex University reported 'Another excellent day of action on campus' as did branch officers at Tower Hamlets college in London and Lambeth College.

March and rally in London

Hundreds of UCU members and students gathered at King's College London before marching to Westminster to rally at Church House. The room was packed to capacity to hear a range of speakers from universities and colleges in London as well as speeches in support from representatives of the NUT and PCS unions. National Head of Further Education Barry Lovejoy kicked off the rally, outlining the case for the defence of education and argued that these cuts in education budgets would effect the poorest in our society most.

More protests in London

More than 100 lecturers and supporters took place in a lunchtime protest at Croydon College, which has recently announced its intention to cut around 80 jobs.

Brighton rally

Hundreds of UCU members and students joined a rally at the Old Ship Hotel in Brighton in support of the campaign against job cuts and in solidarity with striking members at Sussex University. Speakers from Sussex UCU and the students' union were joined by speakers from Brighton University and City College Brighton, as well as prospective parliamentary candidates.

Yorkshire protests

Protests also took place at Bradford College, where the UCU branch has just voted overwhelmingly to take strike action in defence of jobs, while UCU members at embattled Doncaster college held a day of protests and recruitment as they look forward to their 10th principal in 17 years. They were joined by prison educators at Lindholme near Doncaster, who held a rally in the village in support of the day of action.

Meanwhile, in the West Midlands...

UCU branches at four colleges in the region, including Birmingham Metropolitan College, Bournville College, City College Birmingham and South Birmingham College said they would 'explore all necessary measures' to defend jobs and defend education in the city.

Branches and regional offices have been really helpful in both letting us know what was going on, what coverage there was and also reporting back with details of the day and photos. Much appreciated by the press team. Apologies if we've missed anything (we are bound to have). The BBC London piece is at 12 minutes 33 seconds.

At Loughborough College, it was a very successful day indeed for a newly activated branch, with a UCU stall in the foyer with petitions for staff and students in staff rooms and discussions with students in classrooms. Several lecturers sent their students down to sign the petition after explaining what it was all about and what effect cuts could have on their future. Nearly 600 signatures were collected and it provided an opportunity for continuation of the recruitment and survey collecting activities that the branch is involved in already, plus discussion and highlighting of action around the country on cuts.

And in the north east...

Four colleges in the north east held lunchtime protests in support of the day of action. Members were out at Bishop Auckland College, Middlesbrough College, Redcar and Cleveland and South Tyneside colleges.

The day in the media

Branches and regional offices have been really helpful in both letting us know what was going on, what coverage there was and also reporting back with details of the day and photos. Much appreciated by the press team. Apologies if we've missed anything (we are bound to have).

Coverage

Universities and colleges go on strike over swingeing funding cuts Times

University staff set to go on strike on eve of the election Evening Standard

Strikes over job cuts to hit north London colleges Enfield Independent

Lambeth College teachers to strike over job losses Wandsworth Guardian

Students in Tottenham fight for their right to education This is Local London

University chief warns over cuts as strikes loom Evening Standard

ORPINGTON: College plans to cut 44 jobs News Shopper Online

Teachers set to strike over job cuts at Richmond College Hounslow Guardian

Strikes over job cuts to hit north London colleges Times

Hackney Community College vote for industrial strike action Hackney Gazette

Staff in 11 London higher education colleges back strike action on 5 May Human Resources

University staff to walk out over job losses People Management Magazine

GREENWICH & LEWISHAM: Angry college staff vote to strike over cuts News Shopper Online

Lambeth College teachers to strike over job losses Hounslow Guardian

Cuts could 'undo work of last 13 years' Times Educational Supplement

GREENWICH & LEWISHAM: Angry college staff vote to strike over cuts This is Local London

College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London 'disappointed' by strike over cuts to courses Enfield Independent

Colleges and universities face walk out Fleetwood Weekly News – 7 other sources (Blackpool Gazette, Buckingham Today...)

Strike at Greenwich Community College tomorrow The Docklands24

Harrow university braced for day of strike action over cuts Harrow Times

College 'disappointed' by strike over cuts to courses Haringey Independent

Adult learners strike over course cuts Enfield Independent

Strikes are expected at Bradford centres Telegraph and Argus

Colleges and universities face lecturers walk out over cuts Telegraph.co.uk

Protests by academics may be the sign of more serious industrial unrest to come The Independent

Leading Article: Campuses can expect a summer of discontent The Independent

Students hit by lecturers' strike Derry Journal – 11 other sources (Harborough Today, Leyand Guardian...)

Lambeth College staff on strike today StreathamGuardian.co.uk – 4 other sources (This is Local London, Hounslow Guardian...)

Sussex staff and students plan mass city protest The Argus

Tower Hamlets College teachers strike over job cuts East London Advertiser

Colleges across the North East hold lunchtime protests BBC News England – 1 other source (UK Wired News)

Teachers strike in Tottenham over cuts to college budget Haringey Independent

Lecturers walk out in funding cuts row - Brechin Today Brechin Advertiser

London lecturers walk out in funding row World News Network

Lecturers walk out over funding cuts Guardian

Croydon College staff protest against cuts This is Local London – 2 other sources (Hounslow Guardian, Guardian Sutton)

Barnet College lecturers to stage one-hour walkout in protest at job threat Times

Strike threat over Birmingham college job cuts Birmingham Mail.net

TV and radio

In advance Channel 4 ran a big piece on the cuts featuring the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London. TV and radio on the day that we know of:

University and College Union members on strike over budget cuts ITV 1 London Today

Lecturers are Walking Out Today In Protest Over budget cuts BBC London 94.9 Fm News

College staff going on strike ITV 1 GMTV

Further education staff stage strike The Bee News

Staff at dozens of colleges are going on strike ITV 1 GMTV

University and college staff across the capital on strike ITV 1 London Today

Teachers and lecturers walking out today BBC 1 BBC London News

Staff and students at Sussex two universities demonstrate against cuts at Sussex BBC 1 South East South East Today

Lecturers strike over proposed funding cuts to higher educationBBC 1 London News

Protests outside Middlesbrough College BBC Tees Drivetime

Lecturers strike over proposed funding cuts to higher education BBC 1 BBC London News

Teaching staff at Everthorpe Prison protest against possible funding cuts and redundancies BBC 1 North (Humberside and Lincolnshire) Look North