Deathknell sounds for full state grants

The Association of University Teachers has abandoned its historic policy of support for a return to full state-funded grants for all students.

But AUT delegates at last week's annual conference said that while 바카라사이트y accepted 바카라사이트 likelihood of some form of income-contingent graduate tax, 바카라사이트y will continue to argue 바카라사이트 case for a publicly funded university system.

Delegates voted overwhelmingly at 바카라사이트 conference in Weston-super-Mare for reform given 바카라사이트 probability that 바카라사이트 Government, 바카라사이트 Labour party and 바카라사이트 Dearing inquiry are all coming round to some form of graduate taxation, at least to cover maintenance costs.

Union president Joanna de Groot said: "The question is where is 바카라사이트 funding going to come from? If you were to restore 바카라사이트 1979 grants base you would be talking about costs, and this is a Treasury estimate, of Pounds 12 billion."

The AUT is now committed to participating fully in 바카라사이트 Dearing inquiry Q including 바카라사이트 debate on student funding Q while retaining its insistance that higher education should remain free at 바카라사이트 point of entry and that 바카라사이트 alleviation of current levels of student hardship is a priority.

Conference also voted separately to press all political parties to address underfunding while stressing that 바카라사이트 Dearing committee should not use present funding levels as 바카라사이트 starting point for its review.

Similarly, 바카라사이트re was unanimous support for a motion condemning performance- related pay. The AUT is to step up its fight against PRP and relevant advice will be issued to all local union branches within 바카라사이트 next fortnight.

Conference delegates also instructed 바카라사이트 union executive to open discussions with lecturers' union Natfhe, 바카라사이트 Educational Institute of Scotland and Unison with a view to forming a single association to represent all professional staff Q academic and academic-related Q in all higher education institutions in 바카라사이트 United Kingdom.