Commons debate and more protests means no doubt about anger over education cuts

The union said there could now be no doubt in politicians' minds about the fierce opposition to the coalition government's plans to slash university teaching budgets, triple university fees, increase the interest on student debt and axe the educational maintenance allowances (EMA).
 
On Friday, the chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Sir Alan Langlands, told the organisation's annual meeting that he would not be comfortable living and working in a country that did not provide funding for arts and humanities courses.
 
Last week, UCU confirmed its support for peaceful protests against the cuts and tomorrow's next wave of action. In a motion passed at the union's higher education conference the UCU said it would continue to work with NUS to facilitate further protests.
 
This morning (Monday) it emerged that more than 100 Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates have called on Nick Clegg to oppose plans to raise tuition fees to avoid pushing the party 'back in the political wilderness.'
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'MPs can no longer be in any doubt about the scale of opposition to plans to slash university teaching budgets, hike up fees and axe crucial support for college students. More peaceful protests tomorrow are planned and we are working with NUS to set out the next steps in the campaign.'

Emergency Motion for Special HE Sector Conference

Conference congratulates and celebrates the magnificent occupations, rallies, marches and other protests by students, school students and staff yesterday.  They are an inspiration not just to us in the UCU but to the whole of the trade union movement.
 
Conference resolves that the NEC should now build on the platform that has been provided by 10th and 24th November demonstrations by organising a national mobilisation for a London demonstration and lobby of Parliament on the day that the fee rises are debated.  It resolves to urge branches to support, however possible, the protests of staff and the walkouts of students on that day, and next Tuesday, 30th November.
 
Conference suggests that NEC decide that UCU approach the NUS and all the public sector unions to seek a joint mobilisation on that day.
 
Conference demands that the TUC organise regional demonstrations in the three months between now and the TUC national demonstration in March.