Labour MPs and unions lend support to November student protests

Joint letter to Guardian highlights ‘government’s offensive cuts’ and says ‘the profit motive has no place in education’ A group of unions and Labour MPs has lent its support to next month’s student demonstrations against education cuts, saying that “the profit motive has no place in education”. In a letter to the Guardian , the general secretaries of the Unite , PCS , FBU , NUJ , RMT and BFAWU unions vow to oppose what they term “the government’s cuts offensive” as part of a joint fight by workers and students. The letter, also signed by Tony Benn, and the MPs Mike Wood, Katy Clark and John McDonnell, reads: “We believe that education is a public service, which should be owned publicly, controlled democratically, and funded by taxing the rich. The profit motive has no place in education. We recognise that the fight against the coalition government’s cuts offensive is a joint fight, by workers and students, in defence of a common interest.” It concludes: “We support students campaigning against the government’s higher education white paper ; we stand alongside those school and college students who are planning to walk out; and we oppose any attempt by the authorities to curb their right to protest.” The student demonstrations, which have been called by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts , will happen in London on 9 November. Three weeks later, a massive public sector strike co-ordinated by the unions is set to take place amid growing signs that students and unions are working closely together to maximise opposition to the government’s cuts programme. Michael Chessum , a member of the National Union of Students national executive and an organiser for the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, accused the government of “waging war” on students and young people. “It has scrapped support for the poorest school and FE students and made millions unemployed, while making the worst cuts in the history of education,” he said. “The government’s higher education white paper is an attempt to end education as a public service. We are determined to derail it.” Chessum predicted that tens of thousands of people would turn out to protest on 9 November, adding: “It’s clear that the movement that we built last year has grown into something much bigger, and it’s vital that we keep fighting on education as well as linking to the broader movement.” Liam Burns, president of the NUS, which is also supporting the demonstration on 9 November, said: “The proposals in the white paper are even more damaging than the prospect of £9,000 fees. The coalition is about to create the exact opposite of the ‘pupil premium’, where students from the most debt-averse backgrounds are forced to ask for less money to be spent on their education. We’ll carry on trying to work with politicians of all parties to stop these damaging reforms, but when fees are trebled, the education maintenance allowance scrapped and even less money is spent on supporting students financially, don’t be surprised that demonstrations are here to stay.” Education policy Tuition fees Higher education Students Trade unions Unite National Union of Journalists Public sector cuts Public finance Sam Jones Matthew Taylor guardian.co.uk

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