UNISON is urging members to take part in a National Day of Action on 22 June to say ‘No!’ to fees in further education. The day of action is being called by UNISON, UCU and the NUS.
At the moment, adult learners who are studying for the equivalent of A levels receive funding from the government toward their tuition fee costs.
Plans being pushed through by the Tory-led government would see this support totally removed for people aged 24 and over – essentially doubling tuition fees.
According to figures from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, if the further education loans policy were in place today, more than 375,000 learners would be effected.
The department’s own research also budgets for a 20% decrease in the number of learners aged 24 and older. This cut in learner numbers would be disastrous for the wider economy and would also increase the scale of college job loses.
What you can do:
- urgently write to your MP using the model letter on the joint UNISON, UCU and NUS website, here;
- please also ask your work colleagues, family and friends to write to their MP.
- we are also encouraging members to arrange to meet their MPs in their local constituency on 22 June. You could arrange to go as a group from your college. Again, more resources to help you with your meeting are available on the join union website here.