UCU responds to fee-free higher education plans

The union accepted that in theory the idea could be a good one, but warned that swathing cuts by universities and colleges across the country meant there was no guarantee that potential students would be able to study courses that most suited their talents.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'UCU is opposed to university fees so, in theory, this is an idea worth exploring. However, the reality is that there are areas of the country where certain degrees are not available any more due to cuts from vice-chancellors who know the cost of education but not its value. A recent example is the closure of the School of Health and Social Care at Reading University – which damaged local health care provision and flew in the face of national priorities.
 
'The plans also reveal a confused approach to student funding from the government. Tuition fees are one of the main barriers putting some students off going to university and we are pleased the government has recognised that. However, finding the funds to get through a course is equally tough. We want students to have access to decent local courses but the facts are that these plans will see students with the necessary resources choosing where and what they wish to study and those from poorer backgrounds denied the opportunity to move away and make full use of their potential.
 
'Tinkering with a failing system or giving with one hand and taking away with the other is not the way to solve higher education's problems. We need a wholesale review of student and university funding and the government must refrain from kicking the promised fees review into touch until after a general election.'

• 'No fee degrees' university plan, BBC report