Dear member,
I am writing to UCU members working in higher education in London, asking for your help to ensure the government protects higher education in London and reverses their recent decision to cut the teaching grant and ‘London weighting’ for universities in our capital.
This surprise decision to cut funding for London universities by 13.7% (announced in a letter from Gavin Williamson to the Office for Students) is being pitched as part of the government’s levelling up agenda – but it will result in around £64 million being taken from London at a time when institutions are struggling financially.
Our sector has always been a critical part of the social and economic fabric of the UK and will be crucial to our capital’s and nation’s recovery from the current crisis. Some universities are already looking to cut jobs and I fear that these budget cuts will only increase this risk.
It is particularly alarming that these cuts are happening without consulting the staff, students, and institutions involved, so we are asking you to use the template letter here and write to your MP calling for their support to reverse them. Cuts will hit the sector hard at a time when we all need to recover from the current pandemic.
You could also help by tweeting using the hashtag #SaveLondonWeighting.
UCU has been campaigning against this decision, and has produced a briefing for MPs detailing why it is unfair and damaging.
If you have any thoughts or ideas, please get in touch. Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Barry Jones
UCU regional official