Defending higher education
20 May 2025
Members of the Universities and College Union continue to take action in defence of higher education in this country
News
News
Wind power becalmed
13 May 2025
Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind developer, has abruptly pulled out of the Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm in the North Sea, one of Britain’s biggest-ever projects. This puts the government’s target of net zero for power by 2030 at extreme risk.
Science matters
24 April 2025
The Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that in the Equality Act “sex” means biological sex, not “certificated” sex. This is a welcome affirmation that facts – and science – matter.
Step up biosecurity now!
23 April 2025
No one wants to see a reoccurrence of foot and mouth disease in Britain, remembering the slaughter and burning of millions of animals in 2001. British farmers have been urging the government to act in response to cases on the European mainland.
Shaking the NHS – what next?
23 April 2025
In March the government began a major shake-up of the NHS. Medical professionals and trade unions have warned against repeating the mistakes of the past.
Get asbestos out of schools!
23 April 2025
A new campaign aims to build support for removing all asbestos from schools without more delay.
Fighting university redundances [updated]
23 April 2025
Many UK universities face ruin due to their reliance on the bloated fees of international students. Student numbers are dropping; it’s left to university staff to pick up the pieces.
Banks shut up shop
23 April 2025
Banks continue to close branches to save costs, denying cash and banking facilities to an increasing number of people.
Train British doctors
23 April 2025
British doctors have launched a campaign to give British medical graduates priority when applying for speciality training. Applications from international graduates for the limited number of posts have increased.
Youth attitudes – not so different
23 April 2025
A major new poll finds that the attitudes of young Britons don’t conform to media stereotypes.
Scunthorpe steel reprieved
The scramble to acquire the raw materials needed to avert the closure of the Scunthorpe steel plant highlights the folly of successive governments in prioritising imports over domestic production in our vital industries.
Nuclear: Need for action
Britain has a need for nuclear power and a world leading company, Rolls-Royce, able to provide it. The company – and trade union Unite – wants the government to seize the opportunity.
Post Office: The big sell-off
The scandal-hit Post Office has announced the next stage of its plans for the business. Up to 1,000 jobs may be lost – and the operation of the remaining offices franchised to private companies.
Farming: Support withdrawn
The government has closed a key farming support scheme without notice. On 11 March it announced that the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme (SFI) was immediately closed to new applications.
Shaking the NHS - what next? [print version]
In March the government began a shake-up of the NHS, abolishing NHS England (NHSE). Although that was welcomed, medical professionals and trade unions warned against repeating mistakes of the past.
Get asbestos out of schools! [print version]
On 4 April an impressive meeting was held in Hamilton House, north London, to build a campaign to remove all asbestos from schools. Appropriately, it was held during Global Asbestos Awareness Week. The aim is to press government to take corrective action urgently.
Blast furnaces shut down
4 April 2025
The closure of the last two steel blast furnaces in Britain happened at the end of March. This is a disastrous development for British industry and all workers given the fundamental importance of steel.
Fight for pay and funding in schools
26 February 2025
NEU members are taking part in a preliminary ballot to ask if they will strike over pay and funding. The union is challenging a below inflation rise in English schools, with no increased funding.
Heathrow expansion error
A government with no idea about tackling Britain’s financial problems has latched on to the expansion of the country’s airports as the transport answer to promoting growth. The outcome might not be as positive as promised.
Farmers' fight continues [print version]
Farmers are not giving up on their struggle against inheritance tax changes and other attacks on their industry.
Battling for arts education [print version]
Workers in the arts continue their fight to reverse decades of cuts in government funding. The Arts and Minds Campaign wants the arts and literature to be restored to the schools core curriculum.
Brexit: Youth mobility 'reset' [print version]
The Starmer government intends to offer EU member countries a youth mobility scheme as part of its “reset” with the EU.
Scotland: Perks for foreign students [print version]
On 22 January, Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, gave a speech in Glasgow at the Scottish headquarters of multinational financial services firm JP Morgan Chase.
The burden of Thames Water [print version]
Thames Water continues to be a burden on its customers and the public purse. Its latest financial plan agreed in the High Court is just the most recent step in a catalogue of failure.
Farmers’ fight continues
25 February 2025
Farmers are not giving up on their struggle against inheritance tax changes and other attacks on their industry. Thay are organising widespread protests and are now signing up supermarkets to their cause.
Battling for arts education
25 February 2025
Workers in the arts continue their fight to reverse decades of cuts in government funding. The Arts and Minds Campaign is calling for arts and literature to be restored to the schools core curriculum, and fully funded.
Brexit: youth mobility ‘reset’
25 February 2025
The government plans to offer a youth mobility scheme for young EU students and workers. This is one of several policy initiatives attempting to realign Britain with the EU.
The burden of Thames Water
25 February 2025
Thames Water continues to be a burden on its customers and the public purse. Its latest financial plan agreed in the High Court drew criticism from water campaigners and trade unions.
Scotland: perks for foreign students
25 February 2025
Despite having no power to alter UK immigration policy, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has called for a visa scheme to let foreign students work in Scotland after they graduate from a Scottish college or university.
Social care – disgraceful delay
25 February 2025
The government has launched yet another review into social care provision. It won’t even report for three years – a disgrace after decades of indecision. The crisis in providing care needs urgent action.