Fund our future
Education is a public service, not a commodity. It’s time for a radical overhaul of higher education funding
Universities are in crisis
A dependence on tuition‑fees is pushing universities deeper into crisis. A new funding model is urgently needed to protect higher education
Fighting for pay and funding in higher education
An estimated 94 institutions are reducing staffing numbers to cut costs. In May 2026, a select committee report on funding in higher education found that 24 HEIs were in danger of entering insolvency in the next twelve months, with a further 26 possible in the next three years.
A combination of tuition fees, Brexit, falling international student numbers and inflationary pressure has placed universities in incredibly challenging circumstances. UNISON members are bearing the brunt of it – keeping universities going while their jobs are under threat.
Our members have seen their pay and conditions decline continuously for the past fourteen years. 75% of our members are telling us they are concerned about affording necessities such as food, energy, and housing.
This has to stop. We need a fundamental change in the way HE is funded. UNISON is calling for a fairer system – with universities funded through taxation – and immediate emergency funding to save the universities that are under threat.
UNISON’s higher education service group has launched Fund our Future,a national campaign calling for fundamental change in the way HE is funded that will be supporting branches in local campaigns and lobbying MPs and government to secure a more sustainable, long-term future.
Many UNISON branches and regions are running excellent campaigns in response to proposed cuts, and many more will be launching campaigns in the near future.
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