Public policy
UCU policy and research on government and other public policy agendas.
Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper: UCU briefing (2025)
The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper was published on 20 October. While the primary focus of the White Paper is on England, several of the proposals, particularly in relation to research funding and international students, have UK-wide implications.
FE VAT issues and campaign: member briefing (2026)
Looking at the current position, the Large College Group campaign and research from the London School of Economics.
FE teacher initial training and development: submission (2026)
Towards the end of 2025, the DfE consulted on 'FE teacher initial training and development'. This was UCU's response.
School Teachers' Review Body submission (2025)
UCU's written evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body October 2025
Impact of UK government policy on international students and institutional insolvency (2025)
This document is the UCU submission to the UK Parliament Education Committee inquiry: Higher education and funding: threat of insolvency and international students, which highlights the critical challenges facing UK higher education.
Tackling drugs in prisons (2025)
UCU's response to the UK Parliament's Justice Committee Inquiry into 'Tackling drugs in prisons'
Employment Rights Bill (2024-25)
UCU has welcomed the Employment Rights Bill as a step toward improving workers' rights. However, we continue to urge policymakers to address key loopholes, particularly concerning zero-hour contracts and agency work, which undermine job security in education.
Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending (2025)
UCU's response to the UK Parliament's Justice Committee Inquiry into 'Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending'
Skills for the future: apprenticeships and training (2024)
UCU response to the inquiry into 'Skills for the future: apprenticeships and training' by the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee.
Future of Work in Post-16 Education
The Future of Work in Post-16 Education project was set up to consider the threats and opportunities of the technology being used in the sector now and in the future, and how UCU should support members and branches to respond.
Skills 2030 - A World-class Skills System (2023)
UCU evidence to The Policy Connect, 'Skills 2030' inquiry held during Autumn 2023.
Post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below (2022)
UCU response to the 2022 DfE review of post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below in England.
Skills for jobs: FE funding and accountability (2022)
UCU response to the 2022 DfE consultation on implementing a new further education funding and accountability system in England.
Lifelong loan entitlement (2022)
In February 2022, the UK government ran a consultation on the lifelong loan entitlement, which in England from 2025 will provide individuals with a loan entitlement to the equivalent of four years of post-18 education to use over their lifetime.
Review of post-18 education and funding on higher education (2022)
In February 2022, the UK government undertook a review of proposals for higher education reform, including student numbers and eligibility requirements, as well as setting out how the government plans to improve outcomes and rising costs and debt.
Post-16 qualification review (2021)
The future of post-16 qualifications: written evidence submitted by UCU
FE funding and accountability reforms in England (2021)
The Department for Education held a consultation on further education funding and accountability reforms in England.
Initial teacher training (ITT) market review (2021)
The UK government have been consulting on changes to the initial teaching training system (ITE).
National Skills Fund consultation (2021)
The UK government Department for Education held a consultation on the operation of the National Skills Fund in England.
Further education in England: transforming lives (2019)
This research aims to understand and provide evidence of how the further education sector is vital in transforming lives and communities in 21st century Britain.
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