UCU: Govt’s priorities ‘clearly’ lie with big business

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said in response to the Budget:

“As tens of thousands of UCU members prepare for strike action across the UK, the government has clearly set out where its priorities lie with this Budget. As big business looks forward to tax cuts, the rest of the country has to try and cope with punishing cuts to vital services and their pensions.

“We welcome the increased number of apprenticeship places, especially at a higher level, as there needs to be room for progression to allow the development of highly-skilled vocational qualifications and skills.

“We have real concerns about the increase in the number of UTCs. We fear they will divert money away from further education colleges, reintroduce selection at fourteen and create a two-tier system in further education.”