UCU: ELQ

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes:
1. In September, the Secretary of State (DfIUS) John Denham, instructed the Higher Education Funding Council for England to withdraw institutional funding for ELQ students – those studying for an equivalent or lower level qualification.
2. The impact of these institutional funding changes has a disproportionate effect on the part-time sector, with institutions like Birkbeck and the Open University and other institutions, which have done most to wide participation, being worst hit.
Conference believes that
1. These changes are contrary to the agenda of lifelong learning and could have a negative impact on the economy if adults cannot retrain to update their skills or change career direction.
2. These funding cuts will inevitably lead to courses closing and job losses.
This meeting asks UCU
1. To prioritise campaigning to reverse the ELQ funding change policy.
2. To anticipate and assess the impact that the funding cuts will have on Academic Related staff.