'Toby Whelton, author of the analysis for the Intergenerational Foundation, a thinktank, says those in England will face more extreme financial penalties than previous graduates. Whelton said the cost of paying for university education has been shifted almost entirely on to current students'. 1/3

Students face ‘ticking timebomb’ of debt and higher taxes

Exclusive: Analysis finds cost of higher education ‘falls overwhelmingly on the individual’

theguardian.com

One in ten university students in England is now taught by a franchise. Galileo (which took over Regents University London in 2020) wants to be a privatisation alternative to that model; its acquisitions team has an eye on English universities in financial distress. Coming to a university near us.

European education group eyes takeovers of UK universities

Britain ‘an appealing market’ for long-term investment, says Galileo chief

ft.com

"...tech companies are increasingly replacing the functions of democratic government. This shift, she (historian Jill Lepore) said, marks “a return to tyranny and mystification in the form of rule by algorithms, corporations, machines.” techcrunch.com/2026/08/09/h...

Historian Jill Lepore says Silicon Valley misreads science fiction and undermines democracy | TechCrunch

On the latest episode of Equity, we spoke to Jill Lepore about "government by machines" and why Elon Musk is a bad science fiction reader.

techcrunch.com

So many immigrants I've interviewed break down about this. "Monsanto Maler was one of several Haitian immigrants who traveled from Springfield for a check in...after an ankle monitor was attached to him, Maler was seen collapsing to the ground and crying." www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/hundre...

Hundreds rally at site were Haitians required to check-in, get monitors after end of TPS

Hundreds of people gathered outside a federal immigration office Sunday morning to show support for Haitian immigrants from Springfield who were called to report for immigration check-ins.

springfieldnewssun.com

“Students are concerned that we’re going to be closed in two years, three years… They’re worried they’re not going to get courses they need because we don’t have the faculty to teach them.” I’m so sad to hear this about my former institution. But not surprised. chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...

Illinois Institute of Technology cuts 160 faculty and staff just before fall semester

University officials say finances have taken a hit from declines in research funding and foreign student enrollment. Faculty say leaders’ slow response and lack of transparency have deepened the crisi...

chicago.suntimes.com

Tomorrow @hwucu.bsky.social will be back on the pickets, after our employer indicated they may not honour a deal we agreed in June to protect jobs. We'll be there 8-11 am. Inflatable costumes available to borrow. @ucu.org.uk @ucuscotland.bsky.social

NOT GUILTY 💚 Jessica and Alison found NOT GUILTY The judge ruled that their arrests were an unlawful interference with their right to peaceful protest, so there was no need to hear the rest of the defence case. This is a huge win for peaceful protest and for everyone standing up to Rosebank.

How could things in UK higher ed possibly get worse? Hello for-profit universities run by a firm owned by the Bettencourt family and Canada's biggest pension fund. www.ft.com/content/f094...

Picketing, with picket pup, the next generation trade unionists, inflatables, and resolve. Reminding Heriot-Watt bosses WE HAD A DEAL and we will fight for every job. #Edinburgh #UCU #HigherEducation @edinburghminute.com @edinreporter.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk

🗳️VOTE NOW in the @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social local ballot to protect pay and conditions (and stop more beautiful Beach Boys' songs getting redone badly). 🏄‍♂️🏄‍♀️Surf's up dudes! Once more unto the beach dear friends, etc. @ucu.org.uk @uculeft.bsky.social @ucucommons.org @tucneyh.bsky.social

A timely lesson from @hwucu.bsky.social about the risks of making agreements with the employer about withdrawing action/ballots when they claim they will withdraw threats of compulsory redundancy.

HWUCU@hwucu.bsky.social · 3w ago

WE HAD A DEAL! Watt happened? HWUCU back on strike today because our employer has signalled they won't keep their side of a deal made in June to protect jobs. No Compulsory Redundancy. @ucu.org.uk @joshpizpom.bsky.social @timeshighered.bsky.social @theferret.scot @ucuscotland.bsky.social

The FT reports on private companies persuading students without 'A' Levels to "go to university" and take out student loans - and then sending them to a warehouse to prep for a uni external degree. @ucu.org.uk They are copying the US university privatisation model: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUt...

College, Inc. (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

YouTube video by FRONTLINE PBS | Official

youtube.com

So it now falls to branches to start the campaign from the grassroots. Come to this meeting to discuss how! 𝗨𝗖𝗨 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Tuesday 14 July, 6pm 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: bit.ly/UCUSM_org

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: UCU Solidarity Movement - 2nd Open Online Activist Meeting to Save HE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our branches are in the frontline of the defence of the HE sector. We have branches engaged in the fight of their lives right now - from Nottingham to Goldsmiths, Edinburgh, London Met to Ulster and...

bit.ly

At Sector Conference delegates voted, twice, for such a UK-wide campaign on redundancies. Delegates also voted to support the Secretary of State dispute motion for similar reasons. But so far the Higher Education Committee has declined to take up this campaign from the top.

Already in Scotland branches are meeting to coordinate action in the new term. We have to put the HE crisis on the political map -- something UCU has so far failed to do. 3️⃣To campaign to get back to coordinated UK-wide industrial action in defence of HE.

We agreed to do three things. 1️⃣To throw everything towards supporting these branches and colleagues. 2️⃣To encourage coordinated action where branches have a mandate.

At the last Solidarity Movement special meeting before Congress over 50 reps from as many branches attended. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB-b...

Online Activist Meeting to Save Higher Education - 19 May 2026

YouTube video by UCUSolidarity Movement

youtube.com

But we also need an industrial campaign. Our branches are in the frontline of the defence of our sector. We have branches engaged in the fight of their lives right now - from Nottingham to Goldsmiths, Edinburgh, London Met to Ulster and LSBU.

Our members are the custodians and practitioners of UK Higher Education. We are well-placed to advocate for it. We should explore how we can build a wider united front of all those who wish to defend HE, using the model of the 2016-17 HE Conventions.

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵. We need a political campaign.

There is evidence of a potential 30% fall in overseas student visa applications. Meanwhile the NUS is running a campaign arguing UK students have been mis-sold student loans. www.caymancompass.com/2026/05/27/u...

UK universities strained as study visa issuance falls 32%

UK universities are facing growing financial pressure as new government data shows study visa issuance fell 32% in the first quarter of 2026.

caymancompass.com

The result was market chaos, exploding in 2014 with the removal of recruitment caps. We are in a dire situation. Even before Phillipson's announcement, the Government's Education Select Committee warned in May that 24 universities may go bankrupt next year. committees.parliament.uk/committee/20...

As we know only too well, that Tuition Fee Market Experiment involved the replacement of the majority of direct block grant funding and student fees paid by local authorities, with limited direct funding and a per-student tuition fee of £9K+ and student loan.

This step removes another underpinning of the HE Market at the very point that the infamous 2010 Tuition Fee Market Experiment is openly failing. Instead of moving to stabilise institutions, staff and students, Phillipson is throwing us onto the market bonfire.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, told the OfS that funding should no longer be given to support nursing, computing, history, creative arts, performing arts, archaeology and geography courses. This is another body blow to UK Higher Education. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/nursing...

Nursing and computing courses hit as teaching grant cuts confirmed

Education minister defends reduction in light of tuition fee rises as Strategic Priorities Grant falls to £1.25 billion

timeshighereducation.com

Next Tuesday, we are organising a Second Open Activist Meeting to Save HE 𝗨𝗖𝗨 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Tuesday 14 July, 6pm 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: bit.ly/UCUSM_org Below you can see the video from the first one👇

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: UCU Solidarity Movement - 2nd Open Online Activist Meeting to Save HE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our branches are in the frontline of the defence of the HE sector. We have branches engaged in the fight of their lives right now - from Nottingham to Goldsmiths, Edinburgh, London Met to Ulster and...

bit.ly

UCU Solidarity Movement@ucu-solidarity.bsky.social · 3mo ago

📽️ Speeches from: 🌟Lopa Leach, University of Nottingham UCU President 🌟Tom Hickey, Convention for Higher Education 2016-17 🌟Josh Harman, London South Bank University UCU rep Chair: 🌟Sean Wallis, University College London UCU Secretary @lopa.bsky.social @seanawallis.bsky.social youtu.be/xB-bpfOyOGE

TONIGHT AT 6PM! 𝗨𝗖𝗨 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Tuesday 14 July, 6pm 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: bit.ly/UCUSM_org

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: UCU Solidarity Movement - 2nd Open Online Activist Meeting to Save HE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our branches are in the frontline of the defence of the HE sector. We have branches engaged in the fight of their lives right now - from Nottingham to Goldsmiths, Edinburgh, London Met to Ulster and...

bit.ly

UCU Solidarity Movement@ucu-solidarity.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Next Tuesday, we are organising a Second Open Activist Meeting to Save HE 𝗨𝗖𝗨 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Tuesday 14 July, 6pm 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: bit.ly/UCUSM_org Below you can see the video from the first one👇

"University Autonomy" = giving Vice Chancellors free rein to destroy universities by real estate gambles. Castle Meadow buildings: 💰 bought for £38m 🎓 uni invests £45m 🏪 on sale for £14m LOSS: £69m (if sold)

Margot Finn@eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 3mo ago

2,700 letters sent last month warning staff that they are at risk of redundancy, with Nottingham senior management's goal to shed 608 academic posts, following the 350 professional services staff lost last year. 1/3

Thanks you for inviting me. Amazing solidarity. Some great talks from Tom and Josh. @uonucu.bsky.social

UCU Solidarity Movement@ucu-solidarity.bsky.social · 3mo ago

📽️ Speeches from: 🌟Lopa Leach, University of Nottingham UCU President 🌟Tom Hickey, Convention for Higher Education 2016-17 🌟Josh Harman, London South Bank University UCU rep Chair: 🌟Sean Wallis, University College London UCU Secretary @lopa.bsky.social @seanawallis.bsky.social youtu.be/xB-bpfOyOGE