Congress motions

Motion

Motion title

Composite: Education for all, No to racist education agenda

Session

2025-2026

Meeting link

Annual Congress

Meeting date

27 May 2026

Status

Passed

Motion

2

Motion text

Congress notes:
1. ⁠The decision by Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority under Reform UK mayor Andrea Jenkyns to end publicly funded ESOL provision from 2027, despite overwhelming opposition in consultation.
2. That ESOL supports integration, employment and progression into FE and HE, and that defunding risks privatisation and closure of pathways for marginalised learners.
3. Adult Skills Fund protects Maths and English provision but not ESOL.
4. That Reform UK’s anti-migrant, anti-education policies mirror far-right trends seen in the US and must be challenged before they spread further.
5. In May 2025 Reform UK gained control of councils in Derbyshire, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, West Northamptonshire, Doncaster and Durham, and mayoral position in Hull & East Yorkshire.
Congress believes:
a. ⁠ Defunding ESOL is a politically motivated and vindictive attack, designed to divide communities and legitimise anti-migrant narratives, and that what begins with ESOL will not end there.
b. The Labour Government has stoked racist sentiment with anti-migrant rhetoric and policies
c. Anti-racism needs to be linked to the call for 'Homes, jobs and services for all'
d. Reform-led councils pose a threat to education for all in both HE and FE
Congress resolves:
To call on UCU to:
⁠ Initiate a cross-union statement demanding protected status for ESOL.
Campaign for ESOL to be protected by funding bodies
Contact branches with Reform-led councils to warn of the dangers
Produce a campaign and materials pack on combating the far right in workplaces and elections.
organise training for reps in HE and FE, working with NEU and TUC, on how to combat the far-right threats in elections and in our workplaces
Compile a list of UCU member volunteers in each region to steward anti-racist demonstrations and counter demonstrations where the local trade union movement thinks it is necessary, and to encourage other unions to do the same.

Proposing body

Hackney Community College, South and City College Birmingham

Amended

Yes

Allocated to

Education committee

Notes