Protection needed for HE
Unions have called on the government to give universities extra protection during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure their financial survival because of their vital contribution to the economy, local communities and crucial medical research.
In a joint letter to higher education (HE) minister Michelle Donelan, five unions representing HE staff have asked for urgent assurances that universities will not be allowed to go under as a result of the outbreak, backed up with legislation.
The UCU, UNISON, GMB, Unite and the EIS say the sector will play a key role in rebuilding the country. It employs around 750,000 people and, the unions say, some universities are the biggest employer in their area with whole communities reliant on them.
In addition to biological research, their work is key to understanding the impact of the outbreak on society, psychologically and economically. The letter points out that university research is central in developing tests for the illness and antibody tests, tracking COVID-19, developing vaccines and carrying out medical research.
It adds: “The university sector is one of the most productive and important parts of the UK economy with international students alone bringing in £7.3 billion each year and the sector as a whole generating £73 billion.”
But it goes on to warn of many reports of universities serving notifications of redundancies, and of contractors in universities sending staff home without pay or asking them to use their annual leave.”