University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt has called for “urgent clarification” from the government about the future of FE following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
In a letter addressed to business secretary Sajid Javid, Ms Hunt says that the sector needs assurances that the government will support FE and “mitigate any negative impact of EU withdrawal”.
“Following last week’s referendum result, I am writing on behalf of members of the UCU to seek urgent assurances on the government’s support for the further and higher education sectors, now and in the future,” she writes.
“As I am sure you agree, universities and colleges are a key part of our economy and society. Not only do they improve the life chances of millions of students and their families and provide a vital part of the UK’s research capacity; but they are very significant employers and net contributors to local economies.
“The result has a number of implications for universities and colleges, not least in terms of the financial impact. Both further and higher education institutions receive significant funding from EU projects, and students from across the EU support thousands of jobs in the education sector.”
‘We need decisive action’
Ms Hunt also said that Brexit would affect the sector’s “highly internationalised workforce”, and that there must be a clear consideration from the government that “the best and brightest staff and students” from the EU will continue to be supported to work and study in the UK.
She said: “In order to effectively plan for the future, universities and colleges therefore need clarity on the measures which government will put in place to mitigate any negative impact of EU withdrawal. That must include a clear plan for stable, long-term funding to replace any loss of income from EU sources, as well as urgent clarification about the impact of the result on further and higher education policy, including the apprenticeship levy. There must also be a clear consideration of how we can ensure that the best and brightest staff and students from across the EU will continue to be supported to work and study in the UK.
“The UK now faces a period of considerable political and economic uncertainty, but universities and colleges are the driver for the skills and knowledge which are the bedrock of a stable and outward-looking economy and society. We now need decisive action from the government to reduce uncertainty and ensure that our further and higher education sectors can remain strong and vibrant,” she added.
Earlier today skills minister Nick Boles told delegates at the Association of Employers and Learning Providers’ annual conference that apprenticeship reforms were still on schedule despite the UK opting to leave the EU.
“If anything, the need for investment in skills development will be even more urgent and more important for a United Kingdom that is outside the European Union than it is for one inside,” he said.
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