Universities UK (UUK), on behalf of USS employers, has today issued a joint statement with the University and College Union (UCU) outlining how both parties are working together on the future of USS benefits.
Following the March 2023 Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) meeting, we wish to provide a progress update on three of the key commitments we made within the interim joint statement (dated 17 February 2023). These commitments were:
In a recent speech, the Secretary of State for the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology outlined the department’s “singular goal” of leading the UK to science and technology superpower status by 2030. In the run up to the Spring Budget, Universities UK (UUK) in its latest report calls on the government to invest in University Enterprise Zones and use the UK’s pioneering universities to drive SME growth and rebuild the economy.
New polling, commissioned from Public First by Universities UK, has revealed that the UK public doesn’t see reducing legal migration as a priority compared to other pressing issues, and are not in favour of cutting the number of international students.
University students across England have revealed the full impact the cost of living crisis is having on them as the academic year reaches the halfway point. Results from a recent survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have found that students are struggling to keep up with rising bills and rent, with many now considering leaving university to save on costs.
The latest information provided by the USS Trustee suggests that the forthcoming 2023 valuation is likely to reveal a high probability of being able to improve benefits and reduce contributions.
Business leaders, vice-chancellors and political stakeholders came together today at Universities UK’s (UUK) Degree apprenticeships and higher technical education conference, to discuss the benefits of degree apprenticeships. The one-day conference aimed to highlight the importance of degree apprenticeships and the role they can play in developing new skills to boost economic growth.
Commenting ahead of planned industrial action starting tomorrow (Wednesday 1 February) by the University and College Union, a spokesperson for Universities UK on behalf of USS Employers said:
Commenting on the Government's decision to increase hardship funding and award an uplift to the maintenance loan, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
Published today by Universities UK in partnership with PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide and Samaritans, funded by the Office for Students, the guidance Responding to a suicide: advice for universities is written by the sector for the sector with advice from practitioners, experts and bereaved families.
Commenting on speculation that the UK Government may look to cut international student numbers, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
Universities across the UK are stepping up to provide extra support in the cost of living crisis. The need to do so was brought into sharp focus as students around the UK are struggling to cope with the cost of living according to a new survey investigating its impact on university students.
Ahead of the autumn statement on 17 November, we are urging the Chancellor to recommit to uplifting investment on research and development. This long-term investment will ensure that universities can continue to support growth and prosperity across the whole of the UK.
Universities across the UK are today insisting they can play a bigger role in generating economic growth and are calling on the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and his government, to create the conditions to accomplish this in a new report.