UCU responds to Labour university fee plan

The union said that for too long business had got away without contributing to the many benefits it received from higher education and last year revealed its own plans to ensure business paid its fair share: Scrap fees and fund university through business tax, says new report
 
UCU said it would be studying the Labour Party's proposals in detail.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'After three decades of reducing tax burdens for big business, and increasing education costs for families in England, Ed Miliband's announcement is a significant and welcome change in the direction of travel, even though it would still leave some English fees at nearly double their current level.

'The government's tax cuts for big business mean they continue to benefit from a plentiful supply of graduates, while families pick up the bill for education - even though it benefits both society and economy.

'Access for all to education is what marks out successful, modern economies. We hope Mr Miliband's announcement begins the long overdue debate about the low levels of corporation tax in the UK, and the need for business to pay its fair share. We shall be studying these proposals carefully.'