UCU backs Lib Dem rebel MP's call for fees vote to be postponed
8 December 2010
UCU today said it would back moves from Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, to postpone tomorrow's Commons' vote on increasing university tuition fees and for more public consultation on the issue of funding higher education.
In an Early Day Motion (EDM), the prominent opponent of a fees increase says he believes there must be consultation on higher education funding with future graduates and their families who did not contribute to controversial Browne review. Today UCU issued a report that warned of the serious impact universities would face from government plans to slash university teaching budgets. More on that can be found here: One in three English universities at risk of serious impact from government funding cuts
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Greg Mulholland is absolutely right to call for the vote to be delayed. There has not been anything like the level of scrutiny of the government plans that there should be. He is also right to call for new and proper consultation that includes speaking to graduates and their families – important groups that were ignored during the Browne review.
'Universities are a major player in their local economies, creating masses of jobs on and off campus and generating revenue through a number of related small businesses. It would be a foolish MP who doesn't believe proper scrutiny of potential damage to the sector is urgently required.'
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Greg Mulholland is absolutely right to call for the vote to be delayed. There has not been anything like the level of scrutiny of the government plans that there should be. He is also right to call for new and proper consultation that includes speaking to graduates and their families – important groups that were ignored during the Browne review.
'Universities are a major player in their local economies, creating masses of jobs on and off campus and generating revenue through a number of related small businesses. It would be a foolish MP who doesn't believe proper scrutiny of potential damage to the sector is urgently required.'
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