They have had a major success with this EHRC guidance. But we can and must all resist it, refuse to comply, and show it up for what it is: completely unworkable.
UCU Commons
@ucucommons.org
UCU Commons is a broad activist community working within and alongside the University and College Union (UCU). We are also on http://UCUCommons.org #UCUCommons
In the last few years, UK anti-trans actors, with the full endorsement of the country's human rights watchdog, have tried their utmost to launder and mainstream segregation. But I don't believe most people buy it.
Behind the bewildering transformation of British universities, are management consultants being paid millions Really proud to have this vital piece on our unis are being gutted from the inside by @jheathershaw.bsky.social on Democracy for Sale. Do read democracyforsale.substack.com/p/inside-bri...
Inside Britain's university crisis
As teaching staff face job loss, their bosses have netted pay rises and bought advice from a “vampiric” management consultancy, writes Prof. John Heathershaw of the University of Exeter
democracyforsale.substack.com
Instead of death by a thousand cuts, focused initially on Humanities but radiating out through Social Sciences to STEM and Medicine, we need a systematic conversation and assessment of what is at risk. From closed university museums and galleries to Jodrell Bank, what's at stake if we don't? 2/2
British Academy President: UK higher education crisis risks irreversible damage
As course closures, shrinking provision and widening regional inequalities threaten the future of UK higher education and research, President of the British Academy, Susan J Smith calls for an immedia...
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
The sec of state who has seen at least 15000 academics lose their jobs just said this. Out loud. Mercy me. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘It hurts to lose a job you love’: Starmer loyalist Bridget Phillipson fights on despite cabinet demotion
Exclusive: The former education secretary on her new role as Labour chair and continuing as the minister for women and equalities
theguardian.com
UCU are not affiliated to the Labour Party (and therefore does not attend women’s conference) but if we were then we would be supporting this stance by our brilliant sister unions. Solidarity to them and the whole trans and non binary community.
A huge edition, HUGE. The lovely Madeleine Moore is standing and you should most certainly vote for her. I love the opposition to the vicious attacks on trans folks - making it impossible for them to exist is awful. Good updates on voting, politics and other stuff.
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last wk.Newsletter #23! Including: - Our candidate for the NEC casual vacancy election - Our donation to Durham Miners' Gala - UCU's WMSC signing the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter - Commentary on HE pay offer, Burnham's education plans, OfS vs Sussex, the sector-wide crisis #UCU #UKHE
A bumper issue today! We and wider #UCU have been busy!
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last wk.Newsletter #23! Including: - Our candidate for the NEC casual vacancy election - Our donation to Durham Miners' Gala - UCU's WMSC signing the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter - Commentary on HE pay offer, Burnham's education plans, OfS vs Sussex, the sector-wide crisis #UCU #UKHE
This newsletter helps me believe in our union 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last wk.Newsletter #23! Including: - Our candidate for the NEC casual vacancy election - Our donation to Durham Miners' Gala - UCU's WMSC signing the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter - Commentary on HE pay offer, Burnham's education plans, OfS vs Sussex, the sector-wide crisis #UCU #UKHE
Excellent newsletter this week! Lots of news from us, UCU and our sectors. As always, this is a co-produced effort, but brilliantly curated by @hagenilda.bsky.social #UCU #UKHE
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last wk.Newsletter #23! Including: - Our candidate for the NEC casual vacancy election - Our donation to Durham Miners' Gala - UCU's WMSC signing the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter - Commentary on HE pay offer, Burnham's education plans, OfS vs Sussex, the sector-wide crisis #UCU #UKHE
Peak Goodhart: literally the first citation in this is to Matt Goodwin's discredited "Great Replacement" fantasy. If you're trying to push your sanitised "non-racist" preference/ethnonationalism, perhaps don't start by linking to a far-right racist grifter? www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07...
Newsletter #23! Including: - Our candidate for the NEC casual vacancy election - Our donation to Durham Miners' Gala - UCU's WMSC signing the @nionwomen.bsky.social open letter - Commentary on HE pay offer, Burnham's education plans, OfS vs Sussex, the sector-wide crisis #UCU #UKHE
UCU Commons newsletter #23, 29 July 2026
Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome a...
ucucommons.org
The other problem with the Burnham announcement today is that it seems to be based on an assumption that education is purely something for the young.
Our very own @markpendleton.bsky.social talking to Times Radio about the HE crisis #UCU #UKHE
University and College Union (UCU)@ucu.org.uk · 2w agoTo the new government: post-16 education cannot wait. Universities are cutting jobs and closing courses. College lecturers are still £10,000 behind schoolteachers. UCU vice president Mark Pendleton told Times Radio ministers must get a grip.
Stick together. Keep fighting. UCU members at the Durham Miners’ Gala on what the day means to them and their message for everyone facing job cuts right now ✊
@ucunorthumbria.bsky.social obviously dead chuffed that the brilliant Jill Halfpenny got an honorary degree from @northumbriauni.bsky.social. 🎭 Just a shame - a tragedy, even - the same uni is cutting Theatre and Performance... 😢 @ucu.org.uk www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2627205...
Beloved North East actress and Strictly star 'thrilled' after getting honorary degree
Award-winning actress Jill Halfpenny, who is from Gateshead, has been awarded an honorary degree from Northumbria University.
thenorthernecho.co.uk
CUTE PIC of some of the gang at the Durham Miners' Gala too: especially appreciating @cambiechoo.bsky.social's massive hat 👒
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 3w agoCommons newsletter #22! Feat: @matildaf.bsky.social on Durham Miners' Gala, @hagenilda.bsky.social on Anticas committee; @bparsia.bsky.social on TPS news; @rotster.net on both cuts to strategic priorities grant AND the Uni of Greater Manchester arrests #UCU #UKHE ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
Me commenting on two stories? Lucky you, reader!
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 3w agoCommons newsletter #22! Feat: @matildaf.bsky.social on Durham Miners' Gala, @hagenilda.bsky.social on Anticas committee; @bparsia.bsky.social on TPS news; @rotster.net on both cuts to strategic priorities grant AND the Uni of Greater Manchester arrests #UCU #UKHE ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
Update on Commons and wider #UCU news!
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · 3w agoCommons newsletter #22! Feat: @matildaf.bsky.social on Durham Miners' Gala, @hagenilda.bsky.social on Anticas committee; @bparsia.bsky.social on TPS news; @rotster.net on both cuts to strategic priorities grant AND the Uni of Greater Manchester arrests #UCU #UKHE ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
Commons newsletter #22! Feat: @matildaf.bsky.social on Durham Miners' Gala, @hagenilda.bsky.social on Anticas committee; @bparsia.bsky.social on TPS news; @rotster.net on both cuts to strategic priorities grant AND the Uni of Greater Manchester arrests #UCU #UKHE ucucommons.org/ucu-commons-...
UCU Commons newsletter #22, 15 July 2026
Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome a...
ucucommons.org
#UCU members: a crucial email went out from Jo Grady today providing an update on the HE campaign. If you usually don't open those emails, please open this one, as it contains an important breakup of the union's plans for summer campaigning activities.
"executives with no understanding of the industry" seems to be an endemic problem across industries: higher education, medicine, you name it, a bunch of suits with MBAs and unearned arrogance are destroying everything around us, and for some reason, we're supposed to accept that they know best
Greg Iwinski@garyjackson.bsky.social · 4w agoTV writers were right in 2023 and are being proven more right every day — there was a stable television model that made everyone lots of money and put out good shows. Then execs with no understanding of the industry confused the production model and the distribution model, and they blew it all up.
@ucu.org.uk @ucucommons.org @uculeft.bsky.social @newcastleucu.bsky.social @tucneyh.bsky.social @tuc.org.uk @unisoninhe.bsky.social @unison.org.uk www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Northumbria University staff 'outraged' at job cuts after pension row strikes
After lecturers staged weeks of strike action over a pension dispute earlier this year, a fresh row over job losses at Northumbria University has now broken out
chroniclelive.co.uk
Missed the VC’s speech? Lucky you. Here’s the financial highlights! 1/ Confirmed Exeter uni is STILL IN SURPLUS for 25/26 2/ The top 16 execs at Exeter have a combined pay packet of nearly £4m 3/ The VC has a pay packet of nearly £400k a year 4/ Our cash reserves are going up, year on year [1/2]
There's been some confusion about what the #TPS situation means. This should clear it up: it's good news!
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last mo.Our very own @bparsia.bsky.social has done a useful #TPS explainer for those who might be puzzled. #UCU
Super helpful TPS explainer here from @bparsia.bsky.social. Also useful in setting out how USS and TPS differ. #UCU #UKHE
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last mo.Our very own @bparsia.bsky.social has done a useful #TPS explainer for those who might be puzzled. #UCU
Yes, TPS reduction of Employer Contributions IS A GOOD THING (and no you won't get less pension because of it)
UCU Commons@ucucommons.org · last mo.Our very own @bparsia.bsky.social has done a useful #TPS explainer for those who might be puzzled. #UCU