- Conference
- 2026 National Higher Education Conference
- Date
- 6 October 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes:
1)The continued crisis in HE funding with job losses, increasing workloads, insulting pay offers, and mergers;
2)The continued failure of the Government to address the issue;
3)The upcoming Government consultation on HE funding;
4)Our funding campaign of 2024-25 including successful lobbies of the UK Parliament, the Welsh Parliament, and the Scottish Parliament, funding webinar, and fringe meeting at National Delegate Conference (NDC).
Conference restates:
a)Our union’s opposition to tuition fees and support for a publicly funded, joined- up HE system;
b)Our determination to resist job cuts and campaign for adequate pay rises.
Conference instructs the Higher Education Service Group Executive to:
i)Organise UNISON’s submission to any government consultations in line with our policies on HE funding, and publicise this to our members and wider;
ii)Continue our high-profile campaign on HE funding to support branches and members, with the following elements:
a)Providing advice and practical support on organising industrial action to protect jobs and achieve manageable workloads;
b)Organising lobbies on HE funding in 2026;
c)Joining with other HE unions to lobby and protest in favour of increased HE funding;
d)Organising a fringe meeting at NDC.
iii)Seek meetings with Government ministers to press the case for HE funding reform.