Latest editorial
Starmer accused of undermining striking university staff after saying he feels ‘very uncomfortable’ with marking boycott
Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking at the launch of the party's fifth and final mission on breaking down the barriers to opportunity at every stage, for every child, in Gillingham, Kent. Picture date: Thursday July 6, 2023.
SIR KEIR STARMER should be backing education staff, not bosses, the University and College Union (UCU) insisted today after the Labour leader said he is “very uncomfortable” with a marking boycott at hundreds of universities.
Members of the UCU began the boycott in April as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
Asked whether he would call on academics to mark the papers, Sir Keir told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I would. I do feel very uncomfortable with this.
Similar stories
Almost half of universities face deficits, merger mania is taking hold, and massive fee hikes that will lock out working-class students are on the horizon, write RUBEN BRETT, PAUL WHITEHOUSE and DAN GRACE