UCU endorse my campaign against university privatisation plans

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, has endorsed my campaign against the expansion of for-profit higher education.

Sally Hunt says "UCU is proud to have worked with Paul to raise the dangers of an expansion of for-profit higher education for his constituents, our members and higher education in general.

"Thousands of our members lobbied MPs and ministers in support of Paul's EDM and the very real concerns he has raised. He has helped put the issue of for-profits on the parliamentary agenda and made sure reforms weren't pushed through without a real consideration of their impact."

It's been great working with UCU to jointly campaign against the privatisation of our universities, and I'm pleased that we've been able to stop the Government's plans. I'm continuing to work with UCU and I'll still be pushing for a full debate to be held in parliament on the role of the for-profit sector in higher education. The Government must now clarify its position on higher education reform and its plans to attract US companies to run UK universities.

Sally Hunt wrote an excellent article yesterday on Left Foot Forward welcoming the Government's decision but warning that we need to remain vigilant and ensure that privatisation is not "brought in through the back door and without proper scrutiny". Read the full article here