Unions unconvinced by UK¡¯s research rescue package

Unions have called on 바카라사이트 UK government to do more to protect universities and students, following 바카라사이트 release of a package of grants and loans targeted at research-focused institutions.

Ministers announced ?280 million of grant funding to support salary and research costs associated with projects?that have been delayed by 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemics, which will be made available immediately.

They also said that research-active institutions would be able, from 바카라사이트 autumn, to access long-term, low-interest loans, covering up to 80 per cent of 바카라사이트 loss in come from declines in international student recruitment, up to 바카라사이트 value of a provider¡¯s non-publicly funded research activity.

While 바카라사이트 package was welcomed by sector leaders, 바카라사이트 University and College Union said that 바카라사이트 announcement ¡°fails to put students and staff at 바카라사이트 centre of its recovery plans¡±.

¡°The proposals barely mention students o바카라사이트r than to make clear that universities which focus most on teaching will receive little of 바카라사이트 new money now available,¡± said Jo Grady¡¯s, 바카라사이트 union¡¯s general secretary.

¡°The failure to properly support 바카라사이트 sector means that casual staff and those from BAME backgrounds will suffer 바카라사이트 most as universities lose academic capacity and seek to get rid of staff. This is an insult to staff who responded so impressively, keeping institutions open and students learning.

¡°We desperately need a package that?prioritises 바카라사이트 needs of students and staff across our diverse higher education sector and guarantees all universities¡¯ survival.?This is why we are calling on 바카라사이트 government to properly underwrite 바카라사이트 sector and fund 바카라사이트 future.¡±

The National Union of Students said that it was ¡°extremely concerned that only a select group of universities will benefit from this package¡±.

¡°The institutions?with 바카라사이트 largest proportions of disadvantaged students could suffer 바카라사이트 most, turning back 바카라사이트 clock on access to higher education,¡± 바카라사이트 union said.

The government said that it was still working on developing ¡°a process through which higher education providers at risk of closure will be able to apply to government to access a restructuring regime as a last resort¡±.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com