Strikes could return to Liverpool universities as union backs national action - Liverpool Echo

Strikes could return to Liverpool universities as union backs national actionUnion members gave backing to strike action at its annual conference in LiverpoolCommentsNewsJamie Greer

Under-35s writer10:45, 30 May 2025University of Liverpool staff and supporting students take part in a rally during strikes in November 2022(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Lecturers at universities in Liverpool and across the UK could walk out after union members gave initial backing to national strike action.

The University and College Union (UCU) held their annual conference last weekend at the ACC Liverpool. Delegates at the event overwhelmingly voted to prepare for an industrial dispute.

‌ Several waves of national strikes have taken place in recent years, affecting the city’s higher education institutes. Unlike previous disputes though, which have primarily been against the

Universities and Colleges Employers Association, this is a row between the union and the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

‌ UCU delegates passed the motion to enter into dispute on Sunday May 25. The proposed dispute would be over the funding issues that the union says successive governments have created,

leading to a financial crisis in the sector.

This is the first step towards a potential strike ballot. Union branches at each UK university would have to back strike action in a formal ballot for walk-outs to take place. If it goes

ahead,

The Department of Education has said the current government “inherited a sector facing serious financial risk” but emphasised its commitment to creating a “secure future” for UK

universities.

Article continues below But the UCU has accused the government of “a boom or bust model “in which the financial stability of institutions is dependent on hoovering up students.

The union, which is the UK's largest post-16 education union, representing over 120,000 education staff, says the Education Secretary must address the funding issues in order to avoid the

dispute.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "It is shameful that university cuts have become so severe under a Labour government that our union is now laying the ground for a trade union dispute

with the Education Secretary.

‌ "Our members are fighting to protect jobs and UK academia's world leading reputation. But we are being hamstrung by a government that has refused to deal with the underlying financial

issues plaguing our sector and now seems intent on making the crisis worse still with new cuts, levies, and restrictions on recruitment.

"The Prime Minister and Chancellor must stop standing in the way of proper funding for our universities. This vote sends them a crystal-clear message: if you refuse to listen to the

educators responsible for the world leading reputation of Britain's universities, then you must be prepared to face a potential strike ballot.'

Earlier this month, Ms Phillipson told the Office for Students that “top-up” funding for universities would have to be halved in the 2025-26 financial year, with remaining funding would be

diverted to lab-based subjects.

‌ In a response to the claims from the UCU, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “This government inherited a sector facing serious financial risk, and has taken tough

decisions to fix the foundations of higher education to deliver change for students and staff.

“Universities are independent from Government, but we remain committed to boosting the sector’s long-term financial sustainability and restoring universities as engines of opportunity,

aspiration and growth.

“The government has refocused the efforts of the Office for Students on monitoring financial sustainability, to help create a secure future for our world-leading sector.”

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