Their Education

And ours:
fighting cuts, debt and marketisation
with free education, grants and democracy

Their Education and ours

WhyB doB weB botherB fightingB forB ourB educationB
system?B
EducationB isB partB ofB howB societyB reproducesB
itselfKB WhenB weB areB learning)B studying)B andB
researchingBweBareBbeingBaskedBtoBproduceBtheB
nextB generationB ofB graduatesB forB theB jobB
marketKB WeB areB beingB preparedB toB goB outB andB
workB toB makeB otherB peopleB moneyKB ThisB isB theB
educationB systemB theB governmentB wantsB toB
seeKB B ButB educationB alsoB holdsB aB contradictoryB
potential:B toB liberateB usB fromB theB narrowB
demandsB ofB society)B andB allowB usB toB thinkB ofB
andBfightBforBalternativesKBAsBwellBasBbeingBableB
toB reproduceB employableB skilledB labour)B itB canB
alsoB produceB peopleB whoB thinkB criticallyB aboutB
theB world)B andB exploreB lifeKB So)B anB educationB
systemB isB alwaysB havingB toB chooseB betweenB
twoBoptions:BitBcanBeitherBserveBthem)BorBitBcanB
serveB usKB AtB anyB oneB timeB theB balanceB canB beB
shiftedB towardsB graduateUproduction)B orB
towardsBexplorationBandBgenuineBlearningBUBbutB
theseBtwoBinterestsBareBalwaysBinBconflictK
EducationB isB alsoB aB commonB experienceKB
AlmostB 25B ofB youngB peopleB nowB goB toB
universityKBFurtherBandBhigherBeducationBFFEB0B
HE(BshapeBtheBlifeBofBeveryByoungBpersonBinBtheB
UKB inB someB way)B atB someB pointKB EducationB isB
notBonlyBaBpointBofBconflictBUBitBisBaBsharedBpointB
ofB conflict)B whereB ourB collectiveB interestsB asB
studentsB confrontB theB collectiveB interestsB ofB
thoseBwhoBwantBtoBprofitBfromBusKBBTheBstudentB
movementB existsB toB transformB thisB sharedB
conflictB intoB aB collectiveB struggleB forB genuinelyB
freeBlearningK

TheB definitiveB episodeB inB theB studentB

movementsB historyB isB theB M212B campaignB
againstB aB tuitionB feeB riseKB TheB campaignB
involvedB hugeB protests)B theB demolitionB ofB
Millbank)B 2B campusB occupations)B collegeB andB
schoolB studentsB walkingB outB ofB classes)B andB aB
campaignB thatB manyB thoughtB couldB destabiliseB
theBnewBcoalitionBgovernmentK
AndByetBweBlostK
TheB voteB wasB downB toB theB wire)B butB theB LibB
DemsBfailedBtoBrebelBinBsufficientBnumbersKBTheB
movementB hasB sinceB beenB developingB
organisations)B infrastructure)B campaignsB andB
ideasBthatBmeanBthatBifBanotherBM212UlikeBsurgeB
doesB takeB place)B weB canB winKB StudentsB haveB
learnt)Bargued)BdevelopedBUBandBtheBmovementB
isBnowBinBaBfundamentallyBdifferentBstateBtoBthatB
whichB precededB M212KB WeB haveB mobilisedB
12)222BstudentsBtoBtheBstreets)BnotBtoBopposeBaB
comingBcut)BbutBforBaBpositiveBdemandBforBFreeB
EducationKB WeB haveB developedB strongB linksB toB
educationB workersB andB theirB tradeB unionB
strugglesKB WeB knowB howB toB opposeB policeB
brutalityB againstB demonstrators)B howB toB winB
campaignsB againstB stubbornB universityB
management)B andB changeB theB shapeB ofB theB
nationalB politicalB conversationKB WhenB itB comesB
downB toB it)B weB haveB hundredsB ofB peopleB whoB
haveB experiencedB universityB occupations)B andB
knowB howB toB occupyB againB ifB theB needB arisesKB
AboveB all)B weB nowB knowB thatB weB willB notB buildB
thisB struggleB onB theB governmentsB terms)B andB
structureB everythingB aroundB oneB voteB inB
parliamentKB ThisB time)B theB ToriesB areB goingB toB
haveBtoBtakeBonBanBexperiencedBandBorganisedB
studentBleftKB
ButBM212BhadBlongBlastingBeffectsKB
HEB isB stuckB atB aB halfwayB pointB ToB explain:B theB
9)222B loanB systemB costsB evenB moreB thanB theB
L)222B systemB itB replaced)B andB universitiesB
faceB aB fundingB crisisB ifB theyB relyB onB publicB
teachingB andB researchB aloneKB HalfB wayB
betweenB anB educationB marketB andB aB publicB
system)B UKB HEB cannotB continueB asB itB isKB NoB
otherB countryB inB theB worldB hasB aB semiUpublicB
educationB systemB asB expensiveB asB ours)B butB
thereB isB alsoB noB privateB educationB systemB withB
suchB aB restrictiveB feeB capKB WeB haveB toB goB oneB
way:B eitherB towardsB publicB funding)B orB towardsB
theBmarketK

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HoweverB it is our strength that is preventing

anymovementtowardsfullfeederegulation.In
2011 the government was trying to develop
ideas for how to a raise the fee capB and the
Russell Group have long been demanding the
cap be raised to 16B000B but the government
were not willing to risk another fight like 2010.
Their vision of an education marketB where
universities operate as businesses and
studentsbecomeconsumersofmulti?thousand
pound educational productsB had to be put on
hold.
The latest government reformsB which we
address in this pamphletB are an attempt to
resolve the HE crisis by increasing the burden
on studentsB marketising education and further
exploitinginternationalstudents.Theydosobit
bybitBin small andhardtoperceivewaysthat
are designedtomake allofusworseoffwhile
avoiding another headline figure like 9B000
fees.
In FEB cuts are threatening to destroy
accessible education almost entirely. Over the
course of this parliament the government will
slash60millionfromtheFEbudget.Thiswill
almosttotallyabolishadulteducationBandlead
to a huge reduction in the availability of
education for the least privileged. Educational
Maintenance Allowance ? a grant to help poor
studentsattendcollege?wascutin2010Band
maintenance support for FE students is now
almostnonexistent.
In responseB we are attempting to support a
solutiontothecurrentcrisisthatseekstototally
reverse the recent direction of HE and FE
policy. Instead of moving towards the marketB
we demand public fundingB and education
which is good for all of us ? rather than good
for the rich and a bunch of multinational
education businesses. Free Education is the
onlyacceptablesolution.
ThissolutionwillnotBhoweverBbewonwithout
afight.Butinmanywaysthisisasgoodatime
as any to have that fight. The new Tory
government have yet to be really tested by a
tightly
focusedB
sustained
movement.
Everything is up in the airB and the initiative is
ourstotake.
Butwhatpossibleoutcomescanwereasonably
expect?

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IfCweCfailCtoCmobiliseCatCallCthenCeducationCwillCbeC
smashedCtoCaCpulp2CItCisCnotCoverCtheCtopCtoCsayC
thatC everythingC weC valueC aboutC learningC andC
researchCwouldCbeCcrushed2CTheCToriesChaveCaC
clearC ideologicalC visionC forC whatC educationC
shouldCbe1CandCtheyCwillCpursueCitCruthlessly2C
IfCweCdontCreachCoutsideCtheCleftCbubbleCweCwillC
remainC isolated2C WhilstC weC would1C noC doubt1C
fightC aC veryC militantC campaignC againstC theC
Tories1C weC wouldC doC soC onC ourC own1C withoutC
support2CRepressionCwouldCtakeCitsCtoll1CandCtheC
hardcoreC ofC studentC activistsC wouldC exhaustC
themselvesC tryingC toC defeatC theC Tories1C butC
withoutCtheCsocialCbaseCwhichCwouldCallowCthemC
toC succeed2C ConnectionsC betweenC theC studentC
movementC andC theC largerC anti?austerityC
movementCwouldntCbeCmade1CandCtheCcommonC
groundC betweenC aC studentC fightingC grantC cutsC
andC aC workerC fightingC payC cutsC wouldC goC
unexplored2

ButC ifC weC winC ?C well1C victoryC comesC inC manyC

shades2CACgeneralCshiftCinCtheCbalanceCofCpowerC
towardsC us1C andC aC newC settlementC withC theC
governmentC whichC isC moreC inC lineC withC ourC
principlesC andC ideasC couldC easilyC resultC fromC
thisCstruggle2CWholeCpoliciesCcouldCbeCscrappedC
inC anC attemptC toC controlC theC levelC ofC studentC
mobilisationC ?C becauseCforC theCgovernment1C theC
dangerCwithCstudentsCisCthatCourCangerCisChighlyC
contagious2C StudentC protestC canC easilyC spreadC
intoCotherCareasCofCsociety1CandCsparkCaCwaveCofC
socialC conflict2C AC strongC campaignC willC beginC toC
shiftC theC balanceC ofC forces1C andC marginalC EwellC
disguisedFC victoriesC couldC beginC toC beC
generatedC almostC immediatelyC inC anC attemptC toC
pacifyC us2C WeC couldC seeC theC reversalC ofC reformC
proposalsC onC grants1C loansC andC moreC withinC aC
veryCshortCperiodCofCtime2

AllC outC victory1C however1C isC obviouslyC ourC aim2C

WeC demandC universalC livingC grantsC forC HEC andC
FECstudents1CfreeCeducationCforCbothChomeCandC
internationalC students1C theC cancellationC ofC
studentC debt1C massiveC increasesC inC supportC forC
disabledC students1C anC endC toC racistC counter?
terrorismC policing1C aC O:qC payC ratioC betweenC theC
highestCandClowestCpaidCmembersCofCstaffCatCourC
institutions1CandCmore2CThisCisCourCvisionCofCwhatC
educationCshouldCbe2CSoCwhatCwouldCitCmeanCforC
theC studentC movementC toC startC winningC theseC
kindC ofC demands1C andC startC enactingC itsC vision?C
ItC wouldC beC nothingC lessC thanC theC beginningC ofC
theC endC forC austerityC capitalism2C TheC wholeC
politicalC cultureC andC economicC structureC ofC theC
countryC wouldC haveC toC shiftC inC orderC toC giveC
studentsC whatC theyC demand2C ItsC aC bigC dreamC ?C
butC itC showsC whatC isC atC stakeC inC theC studentC
movement2
AC preconditionC ofC thatC victoryC is1C however1C thatC
weCunderstandCwhatCwereCupCagainst2C
TheCpurposeCofCthisCpamphletCisCtoChelpCeducateC
aC layerC ofC activistsC inC theC specificC detailsC ofC
governmentCpolicy2CCThingsChaveCchangedCaClotC
sinceC 9q92C TheC 9kC feeC capC willC beC brokenC asC
feesC creepC upC yearC onC year1C theC poorestC
studentsCwillCfindCthemselvesCinCevenCmoreCdebt1C
graduatesC willC haveC toC payC backC moreC moneyC
earlierC andC quickerC thanC theyC wereC expecting1C
theC mediaC andC governmentsC anti?migrantC
narrativeC willC beC directedC atC internationalC
students1C PreventC willC criminaliseC MuslimC
studentsCandConCandConCandCon2CTheCcumulativeC
effectCofCtheseCreformsCwillCbeCtheCdestructionCofC
educationCasCweCknowCit2C
WeC needC ourC fellowC studentsC toC knowC whatsC
goingC on2C OnlyC thenC willC itC becomeC commonC
senseC toC joinC theC studentC movement2C So1C
hopefullyC thisC pamphletC willC giveC youC theC
informationC thatC youC needC toC goC outC ontoC yourC
campusC andC haveC hundredsC ofC conversationsC
withC ordinaryC students2C WhenC youC handC outC
leafletsC toC pricklyC rightC wingersC whoC wantC toC
catchC youC outC onC specificC policyC details1C orC
apatheticC studentsC withC noC conceptionC ofC howC
theseC changesC affectC them1C thisC pamphletC willC
beCthereCtoCbackCyouCup2
C

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Turning Maintenance Grants

into Maintenance Loans
Can0 you0 imagine0 a0 system0 where0 the0 poorer0
your0 parents0 are0 the0 more0 debt0 you0 have0 to0
pay0 off0 after0 university?0 Thats0 exactly0 what0
George0 Osborne0 announced0 in0 the0 I460
budget0with0a0proposal0to0abolish0maintenance0
grants0 for0 students0 from0 the0 poorest0 families0
and0to0replace0them0with0loans80

james elliot

The0logic0of0the0grants0and0loans0system0is0that0
the0more0your0parents0earn0the0more0they0will0
contribute0 to0 your0 living0 costs0 while0 you0 study80
That0 isnt0 true0 for0 students0 whos0 parents0 can0
contribute0but0dont0and0it0is0unbearably0difficult0
for0 students0 who0 have0 strained0 relationships0
with0 their0 family0 particularly0 LGBT0 youth0
because0their0parents0make0support0conditional0
on0 accepting0 their0 values80 However0 until0 the0
budget0 that0 was0 the0 system80 Deeply0 flawed0 30
but0 nonetheless0 keeping0the0 pretence0 of0being0
progressive8
Now0 students0 whose0 families0 earn0 less0 than0
I4440 will0 have0 their0 FF%A0 a0 year0
maintenance0 grant0 converted0 into0 a0 loan80 This0
is0 tapered0 off0 up0 to0 those0 who0 earn0 under0
S44440a0year0who0will0have0their0SA0grant0
converted0 into0 a0 loan0 from0 I4636A80 The0
perversity0of0this0system0is0that0the0richer0your0
family0 the0 less0 you0 need0 in0 loans0 but0 the0
poorer0 you0 are0 the0 more0 money0 you0 have0 to0
take0 out0 as0 a0 loan0 plus0 interest80 That0 interest0
accrued0 over0 time0 is0 effectively0 a0 charge0 on0
the0student0for0being0from0a0low3income0family8
The0 Institute0 for0 Fiscal0 Studies0 has0 slammed0
the0 proposals0 saying0 This0 means0 that0
students0 from0 the0 poorest0 backgrounds0 are0
now0 likely0 to0 leave0 university0 owing0
substantially0more0to0the0government0than0their0
better3off0peers8
According0 to0 their0 analysis0 The0 poorest0 S4B0
of0 students0 going0 to0 university0 in0 England0 will0
now0graduate0with0debts0of0up0to0F4440from0
a0three3year0course0rather0than0up0to0S4448
The0 damage0 of0 this0 change0 will0 of0 course0 not0
be0 known0 until0 after0 the0 changes0 come0 into0
effect0 but0 research0 by0 the0 National0 Union0 of0
Students0 indicates0 the0 potential0 negative0
effects80
0

www.Anticuts.com

effects80 Over0 I6440 students0 responded0 to0 an0

NUS0 survey0 with0 IB0 of0 those0 in0 receipt0 of0 a0
maintenance0 grant0 deeming0 it0 absolutely0
essential0to0their0attendance0at0university0and0a0
further0F4B0believing0it0to0be0important0or0very0
important8
The0 planned0 loans0 will0 for0 some0 students0 be0
very0slightly0bigger0than0the0grants0they0replace0
Dabout0 440 bigger-80 But0 this0 is0 clearly0 just0 an0
attempt0to0hide0the0fact0that0this0government0is0
loading0 the0 cost0 of0 education0 onto0 the0 poorest0
students80
A0 system0 which0 places0 students0 from0 the0
poorest0 background0 in0 the0 biggest0 amount0 of0
debt0 is0 fundamentally0 unfair80 Our0 education0
system0 should0 work0 to0 reduce0 inequality0 not0
increase0it0by0removing0support0from0those0who0
need0it0the0most8

Jess patterson
Introducing:
the Teaching Excellence Framework

ConcernR hasR beenR raisedR amongR academicsR

andR activistsR followingR theR governmentsR
proposalsR toR introduceR aR TeachingR ExcellenceR
FrameworkR TEFR toR parallelR theR ResearchR
ExcellenceR FrameworkHR whichR awardsR fundingR
toR universitiesR everyR fiveR yearsR basedR onR aR
rankingR systemPR ThisR isR primarilyR becauseR theR
outcomeSfocusedRmetricsRusedRtoRproduceRtheR
resultsR wouldHR accordingR toR theR proposedR
speechR byR newR UniversitiesR MinisterHR JoR
JohnsonHR includeR clearR financialR andR
reputationalRincentivesRtoRmakeRgoodRteachingR
evenRbetterPR
ThisRisRaRstraightSforwardRattemptRtoRfurtherRtheR
marketisationR ofR educationR throughR fundingR
allocationPRUniversitiesRwillRbeRjudgedRaccordingR
toR theirR abilityR toR produceR highSearningR
graduatesHRratherRthanRasRcentresRofReducationPR
VariousR voicesR inR HER haveR condemnedR theR
proposalsHR includingR SheffieldsR VCR andR
EdinburghsR PrincipleR onR theR basisR thatR itR willR
reduceRacademicRfreedomRandRturnRuniversitiesR
intoR aR bureaucraticR industryPR NCAFCR wouldR
addRtoRthisRthatRtheRTEFRcouldRopenRtheRwayRtoR
higherR feesHR exacerbateR aR misguidedR
understandingR ofR theR dynamicsR betweenR classR
andRgraduateRearningsHRasRwellRasRthreatenRtheR
increasedRcasualisationRofRteachingRworkP
The Background (the REF and the finances of
BIS)
TheRTeachingRExcellenceRFrameworkRfollowsRinR
theR footstepsR ofR theR ResearchR ExcellenceR
FrameworkR REFHR theR resultsR ofR whichR
determineR theRallocationR ofRresearchRfundingRtoR
institutionsPR TheR REFR itselfR isR notR withoutR

criticismPR AsR wellR asR theR argumentR thatR itR hasR

fosteredR anR environmentR inR whichR innovativeR
researchR isR consideredR tooR riskyR inR favourR ofR
shortStermR outcomesHR itR isR alsoR condemnedR onR
theR basisR thatR forR anR expensiveR aboutR 1R
millionR andR cumbersomeR processR itR actuallyR
tellsR usR veryR littleHR asR mostR universitiesR haveR
createdR theirR ownR internalR bureaucraciesR inR
orderR toR playR theR systemPR DescribedR byR PeterR
ScottHRProfessorRofRHigherREducationRStudiesRatR
theRInstituteRofREducationHRasRcreatingRaRsystemR
inR whichR universitiesR mainR objectiveR isR toR
achieveR betterR REFR gradesHR notR toR produceR
excellentR scienceR andR scholarshipHR theR
questionR ofR whyR thisR isR theR basisR forR aR furtherR
metricRtestRisRanRimportantRonePR
PartRofRtheRanswerRcomesRfromRtheRDepartmentR
forR BusinessHR InnovationR andR SkillsR BISHR
responsibleR forR dealingR withR HEHR havingR
financialRtroublesPRTheRtreblingRofRfeesRresultedR
inR aR systemR whereR moreR publicR moneyR isR
havingRtoRbeRloanedRoutHRandRDIURisRexpectedR
toRnotRgetRpaidRbackRHRcreatingRaRhugeRstrainRonR
theR questionR ofR fundingHR asR indicatedR byR theR
moveR toR sellSoffR studentR loansPR TheR latestR
BudgetRnowRmeansRthatRBISRhasRtoRcutRDIAmR
fromR somewhereHR henceR plannedR cutsR toR
maintenanceRgrantsRandRtheRDisabledRStudentsR
AllowancePR
SeenR inR thisR contextR ofR increasingR financialR
pressureRJohnsonRisRhopingRtoRappeaseRVCsRbyR
throwingR themR extraR cashR mostR likelyR inR theR
formR ofR higherR feesR ifR theyR jumpR throughR theR
hoopsR inR hisR newR TEFPR InR otherR wordsHR ifR
institutionsR offerR theR rightR coursesR forR businessR
iPePRscienceRatRtheRexpenseRofRtheRhumanitiesHR
andRwithinRthatHRscientificRresearchRthatRbenefitsR
businessR theyR willR receiveR moreR fundingR andR
likelyRbeRableRtoRraiseRtheirRfeesPR

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www.Anticuts.Com

Why is it so bad?
Theres a lot of ambiguity surrounding the
proposalsI but commentators have suggested
thatitismostlikelythatJohnsonsreferenceto
incentives for teaching indicates the TEF
couldbeusedtointroduceasystemofvariable
tuition fees according to rankingsI with
institutionsincreasingfeesabove-IHHHifthey
perform well in the TEFG Although Johnson
didnt signal this directlyI he also declined to
rule out fee rises when questioned by Labour
MPsG Johnson also statedj We will be
consulting very closely on exactly how to put
togetherapackageofincentivesthatworksfor
the sectorG Im not going to propose today to
outline in detail the finer details of each
elementofanincentivepackageG
These finer details are due to appear in
autumnintheformofaGreenPaperIthatisIa
consultation documentG If we take a look at
whatJohnsonhassaidwecantellthatthereis
alottobeworriedaboutj
ThemetricsofValueforMoney
Thefocusoftheproposalswillbeonthethree
key manifesto pledgesj lifting the cap on
student numbersI delivering the TEFI and
driving value for money both for students
investing in their educationI and taxpayers
underwriting the systemG How? Johnson says
he plans toI assess the employment and
earnings returns to education by matching
DepartmentforBusinessIInnovationandSkills
PBIS: and Department for Education PDfE:
education data with HMRC employment and
income data and Department for Work and
PensionsPDWP:benefitsdataG
This will likely mean that the outcomefocused
metrics are all about graduate earnings and
employmentG A good teacher is no longer
someone who enriches understanding of a
subjectI or enhances critical thinkingI they are
now a glorified careers service and their
success will be measured by your paychequeG

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MoreoverI the idea that courses receiving a

label of excellence according to the metrics of
valuemoneycanbeemployedtojustifymore
aggressive measuresI such as the axing of
maintenancegrantsG

This will hugely disfavour teaching staff who

train students who go into lowpaid public
sectorworkIlikebecomingthenextgeneration
ofcasualisedacademicworkersGItwillalsofail
to take into account that people with higher
earning parents will go into higherpaying
graduate jobsI not necessarily through good
teachingbutthroughpersonalcontactsorearly
advantagesinlifeG
TheproblemwithQuantitativeSurveys
Many argue that there is already something
similar to the TEFI in terms of assessing
university teachingj National Student Survey
PNSS:IwhichJohnsonhimselfpraisedG
As activists standing against the marketisation
of education we cannot stand for eitherG
Ideologically they rest on the premise that
studentsareconsumersIbuyingaservicefrom
teachersI as education providersG Under this
logicteachersaremeasuredbytheircustomer
serviceI rather than the quality of education
that they provideG Johnsons repeated
references to the Competitive Markets
AuthorityI and polls conducted by the Higher
EducationPolicyInstituteIareindicativeofthis

AuthorityW, and, polls, conducted, by, the, Higher,

Education, Policy, InstituteW, are, indicative, of, this,
kind,of,thinkingY
These, kinds, of, metrics, hurt, workers, in,
educationY, Johnson, notedW, for, exampleW, that,
competition,will,also,be,central,to,our,efforts,to,
drive,up,standardsW,a,notion,which,endorses,a,
continuation,of,a,system,in,which,almost,half,of,
academics, are, pressured, into, giving, higher,
grades, and, struggle, with, unmanageable,
workloadsY

repayment, of, student, loansY, By, combining,

these, two, ideas, Johnson, defines, education, as,
a, public, good, to, mean, work, hard, for, the,
bosses,and,pay,off,your,debtsY

The, idea, that, a, series, of, leading, questionsW,

formulated, by, a, neoMliberal, agendaW, can,
quantify, the, quality, of, an, individuals, teaching,
methods, is, full, of, problemsY, ParticularlyW, when,
these,spurious,metrics,are,used,to,justify,things,
like, redundanciesW, funding, cutsW, teaching, only,
contractsW, other, kinds, of, lowMpaid, precarious,
contractsY, An, increasing, amount, of, teaching, is,
done, by, poorly, paid, PhD, students, and, early,
career, academicsW, on, shortMterm, contacts, and,
its, precisely, these, already, exploited, workers,
who, will, come, under, increasing, pressure, to,
perform, according, the, demands, of, the, TEFY,
While, the, institutions, may, receive, financial,
incentives, its, unlikely, that, those, actually,
delivering, the, services, will, benefit, from, better,
payY
MoreoverW, the, TEF, encourages, the, separation,
of,research, and, teachingY,,This, is, an,unhelpful,
splitW,and,many,leading,academics,have,argued,
that,a,better,quality,education,can,be,achieved,
through, researchMbasedW, lead, and, oriented,
teachingY, YetW, the, rise, of, teachingMonly,
contracts, has, seen, many, earlyMcareer,
academics, burdened, with, most, of, the, admin,
intensive, rolesW, leaving, them, unable, to, pursue,
research,essential,for,their,career,development:,
the, overwhelming, majority, of, these, less,
esteemed, contracts, are, awarded, to, womenY,
The, TEF, could, well, to, serve, widen, this, gapW,
with,the,possible,result,that,universities,will,also,
be, separated, as, either, teaching, or, research,
institutionsY
Graduate Earnings as a measure of success
While, paying, lip, service, to, the, notion, thatW,
education, is, about, more, than, just, wage,
returnsW, Johnson, went, quickly, back, on, course,
by,reminding,students,thatW,it,is,also,important,
to, remember, that, higher, lifetime, graduate,
earnings,provide,benefits,to,society,,including,
higher, tax, revenues, and, faster, and, fuller,

There,are,further,references,to,making,sure,HE,
matches, the, needs, of, big, businessW, including,
the,very,explicit,statement,thatW,we,are,not,yet,
rising, to, the, challenge, of, ensuring, that, enough,
young,people,are,choosing,courses,where,there,
are, skills, shortages, and, strong, employer,
demandY, This, technocraticW, businessMled,
approach, to, higher, education, is, the, entire,
foundation, for, the, reasoning, behind, the, TEF,
and,should,be,strongly,resistedY
Putting,a,Price,tag,on,our,Education
Essentially, then, the, TEF, is, a, way, of, pricing,
different, courses, and, different, universitiesY, The,
declared, mission, to, drive, up, standards, in,
teachingW, is, a, plan, to, justify, an, increased, and,
more,explicit,marketisation,of,educationY

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Johnsonsb planb tob stimulateb ab diverseb HEb

marketb andb provideb studentsb withb theb
informationbtheybneedbtobjudgebteachingbqualityb
isb inb essenceb ab planb tob rateb coursesb accordingb
tob theirb usefulnessb asb definedb byb business2b Inb
neoclassicalb marketb economicsb suchb pricingb
signalsbarebusedbtobindicatebabproductsbworth2b
Then(basbdemandbgoesbup(bsobdoesbthebprice2b
Givenb thatb ab similarb effortb failedb inb HEb whenb
nearlyb allb institutionsb chargedb 9(---b
straightaway(b leavingb nothingb tob differentiateb
between(b theb TEFb seemsb likeb anotherb attemptb
tobforgebabcompetitivebmarketbmodelbinbHE2b
Addedb tob thisb Johnsonsb talkb ofb incentives(b itb
seemsb universitiesb areb tob beb allowed(b judgedb
bestb byb theb TEF(b tob priceb themselvesb
somewhereb aboveb theb currentb 9(---b cap2b Asb
suchb theb rewardb forb teachingb excellenceb willb
beb tob allowb thoseb 0likelyb alreadyb veryb richFb
institutionsbtobbringbinbmorebcashbthroughbhigherb
fees2b Inb otherb words(b moreb moneyb forb
management(breducedbjobbsecuritybforbstaffbandb
morebdebtbforbstudents2b

Why we must oppose the TEF

Johnsonb remindsb usb thatb thisb TEF(b goesb withb
thebgrainbofbourbreformsbsincebM-Y-bandbaimsbtob
accelerateb positiveb changesb alreadyb underwayb
inbthebsector2
Asbwebknowbthesebpositivebchangesballbdependb
onbperspective2bThebgovernmentbarebpursuingbab
strategybwhichbplacesbthebburdenbofbausteritybonb
marginalisedb groups2b Financialb incentivesb andb
theb appearanceb ofb studentb choiceb attachedb tob
theb TEFb areb ab distractionb fromb theb moreb
aggressivebchangesbitbisblikelybtobbring(bsuchbasb
courseb closuresb andb raisingb ofb fees(b allb whileb
pushingb theb burdenb ontob over)workedb staffb
members2b
But isnt setting teaching standard better for
students? Yesb butb thisb isb notb whatb theb TEFb willb
achieve2bThebmetricsbproposedbarebabwaybtobrateb
coursesbaccordingbtobbusinessbinterestsbandbhasb
littleb tob dob withb qualityb ofb teaching2b Moreover(b ifb
web wantb tob improveb teachingb itb shouldntb beb byb
puttingb moreb pressureb onb teachers(b butb onb
improvingb theirb payb andb work)loadsb andb
campaigningb forb moreb democraticallyb runb
universities2
But if it puts more money into universities, isnt
that a good thing?b Thisb isb whereb ab comparisonb
withbthebREFbisbhelpful2bTheballocationbofbfundingb
accordingb tob theseb arbitraryb metricsb hasb justb
createdb moreb bureaucracyb andb theb kindb ofb
competitionb thatb harmsb goodb research2b Yesb
universitiesb needb moreb money(b butb shouldb beb
fundedbbybtaxingbthebrich2
Wont it give students more choice?b No2b Itb willb
givebthebillusionbofbchoice(blikeballbconsumerbledb
markets(bbutbatbthebendbofbthebdaybthebsectorbwillb
providebforbthosebwhobcanbaffordbtobstudybthoseb
coursesb whichb leadb tob ab high)earningb career2b
Thisbisbnotbwhatbuniversitybshouldbbebfor2

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Further cuts to Further Education

Loan Repayment Changes
In2both2higher2and2further2education(2graduates2
begin2 repaying2 their2 loans2 when2 they2 earn2
O9(3332 [for2 more2 information2 see2 the2 above2
article2on2loans]B
The2government2expects2graduates2from2FE2to2
pay2 back2 LJ2 million2 more2 under2 this2 new2
systemB2 The2 Department2 for2 Business(2
Innovation2 and2 Skills2 [BIS]2 has2 recently2
launched2a2consultation2on2this2issue(2in2which2
it2predicts2that2the2median2salary2for2FE2sector2
graduates2will2be29N(3332per2year2in2O39I9B2
In2this2document(2BIS2states2that2this2policy2will2
not2have2an2impact2on2the2median2FE2learnersB2
This2 may2 be2 used2 as2 justification2 for2 this2 new2
move(2 because2 it2 will2 only2 be2 those2 FE2
graduates2who2earn2more2than2the2average2FE2
who2will2have2to2begin2repayments2earlierB2This2
argument2 would2 be2 deliberately2 misleadingR2 it2
creates2 the2 impression2 that2 this2 policy2 is2 fair2
because2 it2 is2 higher2 than2 average2 FE2 earners2
who2 pay2 earlierB2 Of2 course(2 this2 deliberately2
misses2 the2 pointR2 it2 would2 still2 be2 people2 with2
lower2 incomes2 in2 relation2 to2 the2 rest2 of2 society2
who2would2be2forced2to2pay2earlier2)2O9(3332is2
still2 below2 the2 average2 incomeB2 It2 is2 working2
class2 graduates2 who2 would2 suffer2 most2 from2
this2policy(2not2higher2than2average2earnersB

Monty shield
Cuts
Government2 changes2 will2 not2 just2 affect2 FE2
graduates22they2will2also2disadvantage2current2
studentsB2 Although2 funding2 for2 apprenticeships2
is2 being2 ring)fenced(2 it2 was2 announced2 in2
February2that2adult2further2education2would2face2
a2 OT52 funding2 cut2 for2 the2 academic2 year2
O39JI9B[O]2 Since2 the2 election(2 the2 Skills2
Funding2 Agency2 [SFA](2 a2 part2 of2 BIS(2
announced2a2further2LBN52cutB2As2a2direct2result(2
the2SFA2have2withdrawn2funding2for2the2English2
for2 speakers2 of2 other2 languages2 [ESOL]2
programmeB2 This2 scheme2 was2 set2 up2 to2 help2
people2 who2 had2 a2 low2 level2 of2 spoken2 English2
on2Job2Seekers2Allowance2to2improve2their2oral2
English2skillsB
Overall(2 BIS2 wants2 to2 cut2 32 million2 from2 FE2
over2 five2 yearsB2 Skills2 and2 Equalities2 minister2
Nick2 Boles2 has2 tried2 to2 deflect2 attention2 away2
from2 the2 severity2 of2 these2 cuts(2 by2 stating2 that2
BIS2 has2 managed2 to2 obtain2 OJ2 million2 to2 L2
million2 apprenticeshipsB2 Regardless(2 these2 cuts2
are2going2to2prevent2large2groups2of2people2from2
accessing2education(2particularly2those2who2are2
unemployed2 or2 from2 a2 working2 class2
backgroundB2 The2 government2 should2 stop2
pretending2 to2 care2 about2 apprentices2 until2 they2
have2 taken2 a2 number2 of2 basic2 steps2 to2 support2
them2 )2 such2 as2 ensuring2 that2 they2 are2 paid2 a2
living2wage(2rather2than2an2exploitative2OBL2an2
hourB2 All2 the2 Tories2 want2 to2 do2 is2 use2
apprentices2 to2 prop2 up2 failing2 businesses2 by2
providing2very2cheap2workersB

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The Nature of these Changes

InL FECL asL wellL asL widerL societyCL theseL cutsL areL anL attackL onL bothL theL migrantL andL UKRbornL workingL
class:LtheLfundingLforLESOLLhasLbeenLwithdrawn;LworkingLclassLgraduatesLareLbeingLforcedLtoLpayLoffL
theirLstudentLdebtLwhileLonLincomesLwhichLwereLpreviouslyLregardedLasLtooLlowLforLrepaymentCLandLFEL
studentsL whoL beginL orL resumeL theirL courseL thisL academicL areL goingL toL haveL toL contendL withL
increasinglyLmarketisedLandLunderfundedLinstitutionsNfundL
AttacksLtoLfurtherLeducationLareLoftenLignoredNLThisLcantLbeLallowedLtoLcontinueLRLtheLcutsLdirectedLatL
FELareLcutsLtoLtheLmostLvulnerableCLandLthereforeLweLhaveLtoLplaceLFELdemandsLatLtheLheartLofLtheL
studentLmovementN

Shelly
Preventing the Prevent
Counter Terrorism Programme
InL OctoberCL theL PreventL dutyL partL ofL theL newL
CounterL TerrorismL andL SecurityL ActPL willL beL
ratifiedL byL ParliamentCL meaningL thatL schoolsCL
collegesL andL universitiesL areL legallyL obligedL toL
monitorLstudentsLatLriskLofLviolentLextremismN
L
ItL recommendsL monitoringL studentsL appearingL
withdrawnL orL seekingL politicalL changeL iNeL
anyoneL leftRwingL orL strugglingL withL mentalL
healthPNL FocussingL onL soRcalledL IslamicL
extremismCL theL prospectL ofL racialL profilingL andL
stateRsponsoredLIslamophobiaLmeansLBlackLandL
MuslimL studentsL areL bearingL theL bruntL ofL aL
reactionaryCL racistL agendaL whileL freedomL ofL
speechLacrossLtheLboardLisLcurtailedNL
L
PreventLOfficersLinvolvementLonLcampusesLhasL
seenL aL livingL wageL campaignerL monitoredL byL
policeLforLhisLactivismCLxLwomenLstudentsLatLNewL
VicL CollegeL suspendedL forL raisingL concernsCL aL
schoolboyL questionedL byL policeL forL circulatingL
proRPalestineL literatureL andL aL conferenceL onL
IslamophobiaLstoppedLfromLtakingLplaceN
L
TheL NationalL UnionL ofL StudentsL isL encouragingL
SUsL toL notL complyL withL PreventNL UniversityL andL
CollegesL UnionL UCUPL hasL alsoL publishedL
guidanceL advisingL branchesL onL ballotingL forL aL
boycottLofLtheLdutyNLThisLgivesLusLanLopportunityL
toLbuildLaLstrongerCLmoreLcoRordinatedLapproachL
acrossLtheLsectorN

www.Anticuts.com

Asquith

OpposingLPrevent
LSpeakLtoLstudentsLonLyourLcampusLmostLatLriskL
fromL Prevent:L theL IslamicL SocietyL andL antiRcutsL
groupsL areL aL goodL placeL toL startNL SetL upL aL
meetingLandLconsiderLrunningLaLcampaignN
L JoinL theL PreventingL PreventL onL CampusesL
FacebookLgroupLtoLkeepLinLtouchNL
L ContactL yourL localL UCUL branchL toL setL upL aL
meetingLandLofferLyourLsupportLforLaLboycottN
LRegisterLforLoneLofLtheLStudentsLnotLSuspectsL
eventsL inL OctoberCL beingL coRorganisedL byL NUSL
andL DefendL theL RightL toL ProtestNL InfoL atL
nusconnectNorgNuk
L PassL aL policyL throughL yourL UnionCL mandatingL
officersLtoLnotLcomplyLwithLPreventLandLshareLitL
widelyLtoLraiseLawarenessN
LFindLoutLwhatLyourLinstitutionsLapproachLtoLtheL
dutyL isL andL tryL toL influenceL it:L contactL theL
secretaryL orL registrarCL andL ifL youL dontL getL aL
satisfactoryL responseCL writeL aL FreedomL ofL
InformationL requestL toL establishL whatL contactL
yourLinstitutionLalreadyLhasLwithLPreventN

10

Retrospective Repayment Hikes ben towse

Changes to Student Loan Conditions
Noty contenty withy raisingy undergrady feesy toy
BG666y andy replacingy maturey furthery educationy
jFEby studentsy grantsy withy loansGy nowy they
governmenty wantsy toy hikey upy repaymentsy ony
undergradyandy3IyAdvancedyLearningyLoansRy
Thisy attacky wonty justy hity futurey studentsGy buty
anyoneywhoybeganystudyingysincey36M3R
Changing the repayment threshold
Iny36M6Gytheygovernmentyclaimedytheirynewyfeesy
systemy wouldy protecty lowy earnersRy Graduatesy
wouldy onlyy havey toy makey repaymentsy ony
incomeyovery3MG666Gyandythatythresholdywouldy
increaseytoyreflectyinflationR

Nowy they Toriesy arey consultingy ony proposalsy toy

freezey thaty thresholdy untily aty leasty 363MRy Asy
inflationy andy livingy costsy riseGy they thresholdy willy
fally iny realy termsRy Repaymentsy willy bey higherGy
andy lowerzwagedy graduatesy willy nowy havey toy
makey repaymentsRy Thisy isy ally possibley becausey
wheny wey tooky outy studenty loansy they smally printy
saidy thaty they repaymenty regulationsy couldy
changeR
Theyconsultationypresentsytheyonlyyotherychoicey
asy freezingy they thresholdy justy fory studentsy
startingy iny 36MWy andy laterRy Maintainingy they
systemy introducedy justy y yearsy agoy isy barelyy
consideredy any optiony y theyy describey theiry owny
loansysystemyasyunaffordableR
Why is this happening?
Wey alwaysy arguedy thaty they BG666y feesy systemy
wasynotyonlyyunjustytoystudentsyandydamagingytoy
educationGy buty financiallyy unsustainabley andy illz
advisedyevenyonytheytermsytheygovernmentywasy
arguingR
Sincey thenGy they amounty ofy moneyy they
governmenty isy forecasty toy gety backy fromy they
loansyhasyfallenyandyfallenGysoythatynowythisynewy
systemy isy barelyy savingy anyy moneyRy Thisy isy
happeningy becausey iny they Toriesy lowzwageGy
austerityyeconomyGywagesyareyjustytooylowyforyusy
toypayybackytheyloans2yTheyrepaymentyhikeyisyany
attempty toy makey usy payGy oncey againGy fory theiry
mistakesyandyattacksR
Raiding the pockets of lower- and middle-income
graduates
3ymillionyborrowersyareypredictedytoybeyaffectedRy
They governmenty projectsy thaty graduatesy ony
startingy salariesy ofy 3MG666y ory 6G666y wouldy
repayy any additionaly WGM66y eachy overy they
lifetimeybeforeytheirydebtyisywrittenyoffyatythey6z
yearymarkRyByycomparisonGygraduatesystartingyaty
6G666Gy whoy wouldy previouslyy havey expectedy
toy payy offy virtuallyy theiry entirey debtGy willy repayy
justy66ymoreyunderytheynewysystemR

11

www.Anticuts.com

So by raiding the pockets of middle and lower

earnersx leaving the richer largely unaffectedx
the government expects to make S4U billion in
extrarepaymentsfromexistingundergraduatesx
and more from future students4 They will make
justSFmillionoutofexistingFEborrowersxin
partbecausethesestudentswillberepayingout
of lower salaries4 The government cant be
bothered to make a political case for changing
FE loans they are affected simply because it
would be bureaucratically difficult to separate
themoutoftheundergradfocusedloansystem
they were bundled into in U5NS4 The
consultation gives almost zero attention to the
effectsonFE4
The impacts
TheToriesarecrossinganewlineandsettinga
precedent that students and graduates are a
piggy bank that can be raided any time the
governmentneedssomesparecash4
Evenworsexwhywouldstudentsrisktakingout
a student loan to access education when the
conditionscanbechangedatanytimetomake
some money for the government? This is a
disincentivetoentereducationatallxparticularly
for those without the safety net of wealthy
families4 Making big predictions is hardx but
some experts do believe it likely that
prospectivestudentswillbecomemorewaryof
takingondebt4
And it might affect the courses students feel
pressuredtochoose4Thepressureisontoget
highpaying jobs that will pay off debt fasterx
before the next repayment hike pushing
studentstofocusonlyonsubjectsandactivities
thatwillnetthosejobs4

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www.Anticuts.com

Dealing with counter-arguments

Thispolicywillbehardtojustifyasreasonable4
Here are some of the Wweak arguments that
mightberaisedbyanyonedefendingit4
The repayment threshold is staying frozen
A freeze in cash terms means a reduction in
real terms4 Because of inflation where the
price of goodsx services and rent rises every
year UNx555 in five years will represent a
lowerincome4
They told you the terms could change
We had no choice but to take these loans to
access education4 And government ministers
sold the policy on the basis of the generous
repaymentterms,
The government needs to balance the books.
The money has to come from somewhere
Thisisafalsechoice4Thereisplentyofwealth
in our society but it is sitting in the mansionsx
businessesandbankaccountsoftherichthe
government should tax the wealthy, This
change in repayments is an attempt to fund a
failingsystembyexploitingtheyoung4
Fighting back
Wecantalloweitherexistinggraduatesxcurrent
or future students to be sold out4 We have to
fight to stop the hikes4 Beyond thatx we should
argue that instead of tinkering with a brokenx
unjust fees systemx it should be scrapped and
replaced with free education funded by taxing
therich4
The consultation lasts until N3 October U5NF
NUS and student unions should respondx
demandingnochangesaremade4Butwecant
stop there we need to raise mass public
awarenessxanduseprotestanddirectactionto
forcethegovernmentshand4

12

Cuts to Disabled Students Allowance

Tanju Cakar

CapitalistS societyS activelyS oppressesS disabledS

peopleSbySitsSunwillingnessStoSaccommodateSforS
theirS impairmentsS andS treatingS theseS
impairmentsS asS aS problem(S InS theS caseS ofS
studentsUS aS lackS ofS servicesUS inaccessibleS
learningS andS ableismS andS aS lackS ofS
understandingS fromS staffS areS hugeS barriersS toS
successfulS learning(S LiberationS ofS disabledS
peopleS willS requireS activistsS toS struggleS forS theS
removalSofSsuchSbarriersSandSfightbackSagainstS
anyS attacksS onS rightsS andS provisionsS thatS haveS
beenSwon(
TheS DisabledS StudentsS AllowancesS areS nonS
meantestedSgrantsSforSmeetingStheSextraScostsS
disabledS studentsS faceS whileS studyingUS
providingSsupportSsuchSasSspecialistSequipmentUS
travelS allowancesUS andS supportS workersUS
includingS notetakersS andS interpreters(S SoS farUS
DSAShasSbeenSeffectiveSinSsupportingSdisabledS
studentsUS beingS moreS likelyS toS graduateS withS aS
firstSorSB:ESifSreceivingSDSASandSallowingSmanyS
studentsS toS stayS onS theirS courseS whenS theyS
wouldSotherwiseSbeSunableUSbutStheSsevereScutsS
toSDSASmaySchangeSthat(
InS BHEjUS DavidS WillettsUS theS MinisterS forS
UniversitiesUS announcedS cutsS toS DSAS whichS
meantS thatS newS claimantsS couldS notS receiveS
fundingS forS standardS specificationS computerS
equipmentS andS thatS responsibilityS forS provisionS
ofS nonmedicalS helpS 0withS exceptionsS suchS asS
interpreters4S wouldS beS transferredS toS HES
institutions(S AS campaignS againstS theseS cutsS
forcedS aS postponementS byS theS DepartmentS ofS
BusinessUS InnovationS andS SkillsUS butS changesS
wereS inS stillS inS placeUS suchS asS aS BHHS
contributionS towardsS computerS equipmentS
justifiedS byS theS untrueS assumptionS thatS
everyone

13

justifiedSbyStheSuntrueSassumptionSthatSeveryoneS
ownsS aS laptopS alreadyS 0ignoringS theS factS thatS
disabledS studentsS areS disproportionatelyS
workingclassSandSlivingSonSlowincomes4(
WithS theS ConservativeS victoryS inS MayUS WillettsS
initialS proposalsS areS beingS pushedS throughS yetS
againUS withS DSAS beingS cutS byS movingS
responsibilityS
awayS
fromS
theS
state(S
ResponsibilityS forS noncomplexS supportS likeS
transcribersSandSlibrarySsupportSstaffSwillSsoonSbeS
providedS byS universitiesS andS collegesUS meaningS
smallerS institutionS orS institutionsS thatS ignoreS orS
interpretS guidelinesS differentlyS mayS notS provideS
theseS services(S AlsoUS disabilityS inS theS contextS ofS
DSAS willS beS definedS usingS theS EqualityS ActS ofS
BHEHUS whichS mayS meanS thatS thoseS withS
fluctuatingSorSvaryingSdisabilitiesSmaySnotSreceiveS
support(S TheS governmentS saysS thatS theseS
changesS willS makeS supportS moreS targetedUS butS
thisS isS aS lie(S EvenS beforeS cutsUS fundingS toS DSAS
droppedS whileS demandS increasedUS soS theseS
reformsS willS onlyS leadS toS lowerS qualityS andS
inconsistentSprovisionUSifSstudentsSareSevenSableS
toSreceiveSitSinStheSfirstSplace(
TheseS cutsS areS justifiedS byS aS ruthlessS
continuationSofSneoliberalSlogic(SDisabledSpeopleS
haveSalreadySsufferedS theSmostSunderSausterityUS
dueS toS theS factS weS areS seenS asS theS groupS leastS
likelyS toS fightS againstS cuts(S EducationS andS
disabledS rightsS activistsS needS toS proveS themS
wrong(
ForSeducationStoSbeStrulySfreeSforSallUSitSmustSalsoS
beS inclusive(S AnS educationalS systemS thatS
liberatesS disabledS peopleS willS haveS toS removeS
institutionalS barriersS andS coverS higherS costsS ofS
studying(SDSASisSvitalSforSachievingSthisSideal(

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Jess patterson

Postgraduate funding:
What are the governments plans?

Of all the HE proposals outlined by Osborne2

those relating to postgraduate funding are the
most uncertain2 although what we do know
seems consistent with the general grain of Tory
policy1 These suggestions discussed here relate
to the earlier Budget announcement in March
SA971Alongsidethisthegovernmentlauncheda
consultationthatran from theS7thMarchtothe
S9thMay2SA971Thegovernmentarenowinthe
processofanalysingtheresults1

unable to access master programs are from

oppressed background2 leading to the
domination of teaching and research by the
mostprivileged1

As the HESA HHigher Education Statistics

AgencyE data shows2 the number of students
undertakingMastersreacheditspeakinSAA85A
Hprior to fee0hikesE and has2 tellingly2 since then
only declined1 The government needs to tackle
this1

Fromthegovernmentsperspectivereductionin
thenumberofdomesticstudentsdoingmasters
degrees and going on to PG study and the
resultingdropinskillisthemainmotivationfor
introducing the loan1 Rather than actually
increase access2 then the rationale that this
should be a partial loan2 rather than a higher
figure covering all expenses2 is argued
according to the principle that cost should
remain a deterrent to studying for some: this
balances the incentives to ensure students will
continue to make considered and informed
decisions about pursuing education at this
level1

The central proposal is the introduction of a

9A2AAAloanfortaughtMastersprogrammes1
A Masters degree is a gateway to postgraduate
study 0 and has been identified as the point at
which many people who want to continue their
education are permanently turned away1 As
mightbeexpected2themajorityofpeopleunable

This is further justified on the basis that a full0

loan would result in fee0inflation2 something
against which they ambiguously propose that
they will establish safeguards while
completely ruling out the only mechanism by
whichthiscouldtrulybeaffected:theregulation
offees1

Here are the most alarming aspects of the

proposalsputforwardintheconsultation:
Loans of 10,000
programmes:

for

www.Anticuts.com

taught

Masters

14

In2 addition42 loanUrepayment2 would2 be2 income2

contingent42 operating2 on2 a2 similar2 system2 to2
undergraduate2 loansK2 Interest2 would2 be2 at2 RPI2 j2
42iKeK2equal2to2the2maximum2interest2rate2on2the2
postUMW2 undergrad2 loan2 system42 with2
repayments2 set2 at2 z2 on2 earnings2 over2 WkK2
This2is42of2course42all2on2top2of2the2z2that2most2of2
these2 students2 will2 already2 be2 paying2 on2 their2
undergraduate2 loansK2 All2 of2 this2 fundamentally2
misses2 the2 source2 of2 the2 problem2 that2 they2 have2
created2 increasing2 barriers2 to2 the2 access2 of2
higher2 education2 from2 undergraduate2 to2
postgraduate2 level2 as2 a2 result2 of2 an2 untenable2
system2of2student2debtK

Post-graduate Research Funding:

The2proposals2for2dealing2with2Postgrad2research2
degrees2are2even2more2bizarre2in2their2reasoningK2
These2 suggestions2 are2 far2 less2 concrete2 and2
come2ahead2of2a2review2on2how2the2government2
can2 both2 broaden2 and2 strengthen2 support2 for2
postgraduate2 research2 students2 and2 excellent2
postgraduate2researchKOne2of2the2suggestions2is2
that2 they2 seek2 out2 ways2 to2 support2 innovative2
finance2 platforms2 such2 as2 crowdUfundingK2 This2
seems2 like2 a2 bad2 joke2 that2 applies2 a2 startUup2
business2 mentality2 to2 researchK2 Such2 ideas2
represent2 a2 horrible2 move2 towards2 the2 interests2
and2agendas2of2private2business2 and2away2from2
public2fundingK2

An age-cap on loans
Another2 interesting2 aspect2 of2 the2 proposal2 is2 a2
suggestion2that2eligibility2for2the2loan2be2restricted2
to2persons2under2the2age2of2thirtyK2The2justification2
for2 this2 is2 that2 younger2 students2 are2 statistically2
more2in2need2of2financial2aidK2To2support2this2they2
produce2 an2 interesting2 document42 which2
compares2the2financial2needs2of2postUgrad2taught2
students2who2are2under2M2and2over2M42based2on2
a2 survey2 of2 4MMM2 UK2 domiciled2 PGT2 MastersK2
What2this2completely2fails2to2account2for2is2that2all2
of2 the2 data2 has2 therefore2 been2 collected2 from2
people2 who2 have2 already2 made2 the2 decision2 to2
take2 on2 the2 financial2 burden2 of2 postUgrad2
educationK2 There2 are2 many2 people2 over2 thirty2 for2
whom2this2has2simply2not2been2an2optionK2
Rather2 than2 the2 measure2 matching2 the2 needs2 of2
students42 whats2 more2 likely42 and2 what2 fits2 more2
snugly2 with2 the2 principle2 that2 the2 proposed2 loan2
has2 been2 designed2 to2 ensure2 the2 majority2 of2
borrowers2 repay2 in2 full42 while2 recognising2 the2
personal2 benefits2 that2 most2 will2 accrue42 is2 that2
this2group2of2potential2borrowers2are2more2likely2to2
pay2 back2 their2 loans2 in2 fullK2 That2 is42 according2 to2
predictions2 by2 the2 Department2 for2 Business2
Innovation2k2Skills42total2repayments2will2be2lower2
for2 those2 starting2 study2 later42 because2 mature2
students2are2more2likely2to2retire2before2their2debt2
is2 repaidK2 In2 addition42 although2 this2 is2 not2 part2 of2
the2 official2 conversation42 it2 seems2 likely2 that2 a2
further2aspect2of2this2consideration2is2that2women2
in2 the2 postUthirty2 category2 are2 more2 likely2 to2 do2
partUtime2or2more2lowUpaid2work2and2will2therefore2
pay2off2the2loan2at2a2much2slower2rateK

15

www.Anticuts.com

AnotherBisBtheBideaBintroducingBincomeBcontingentB
loansBofBupBtoB9(:000:BwithBtheBcaveatBthatBthereB
beB aB trade'offB withB publicB subsidyB levelsB ThisB isB
anB alarmingB notionB thatB threatensB theB ideaB thatB
studentsB shouldB beB fundedB withB non'repayableB
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www.Anticuts.com

16

The movement
is in your
hands
Webarebthebchildrenbofbtheb2008bcrisisCbForbmostb
ofbusIbwebhaveblivedbourbwholebadultblivesbinbtheb
shadowbofbabcatastrophicbfailurebofbourbeconomicb
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ofb easyb growthCb Everb sinceb web wereb teenagersb
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communitiesbwebarebpartbofbthatbarebexpectedbtob
carrybthebburdenbofbproblemsbwebdidntbcreateIbinb
orderb tob allowb thoseb whob didb createb themb tob
continuebprofitingCb
Austerityb hasb comeb tob dominateb ourb politicalb
horizonsCb Forb manyb studentsIb austerityIb povertyb
andb exploitationb areb theb onlyb realisticb optionsCb
Butb whenb web fightIb cracksb appearb inb theb
supposedlyb invulnerableb austerityb consensusCb
AcrossbthebworldIbinbQuebecIbTurkeyIbBrazilIbtheb
UCSCIb Mexicob andb moreIb studentsb haveb
sporadicallyb brokenb outb ofb theb basicb
assumptionsb ofb politicsb asb usualIb andb startedb tob
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tacticsIbstrategiesbandbresourcesC

17

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InA theA shortA termxA ourA planA isA toA spreadA

informationA throughA nationwideA publicA meetingsA
duringA theA weekA ofA 12th*16thA October.A InA theA
weeksA afterA thatA NCAFCA isA organisingA aA dayA ofA
localA actionA onA theA 24thA ofA OctoberxA andA aA
nationalAdemonstrationAonAtheA4thAofANovember.A
MoreAactionsAwillAemergeAasAtimeAgoesAonxAandA
localAgroupsAandAtradeAunionsAwillAallAbeAmakingA
theirAownAplans.AWeAalsoAhaveAtoAleaveAaAlotAofA
roomA forA spontaneousA studentA actionA andA
respondingAtoAdevelopingAconditions.

Join the
campaign

WeA mustA alsoA considerA whatA theA longA termA

visionAforAourAmovementAis.AWhatAhappensAafterA
aA bigA nationalA demo?A HowA doesA ourA campaignA
putAdownArootsAlocallyxAandAcontinueAtoAbuildAtheA
supportA andA infrastructureA itA needsA toA surviveA
overA theA monthsA andA yearsA toA come?A DoA weA
haveA toA escalateA beyondA demonstrationsA *A
perhapsAtowardsAaAstudentAstrike?
UltimatelyxAtheAsuccessAofAthisAstruggleAreliesAonA
you.A ThereA isA noA eliteA crackA teamA ofA activistsA
whoA knowA howA weA shouldA fightxA andA noA leftyA
angelsAwhoAwillAcomeAandAorganiseAtheAstudentsA
onAyourAcampus.AIfAsomethingAhappensAoverAtheA
nextA yearA *A andA hopefullyA itsA nowA clearA toA youA
thatA somethingA UmustUA happenA *A itA willA beA
becauseA youxA andA hundredsA ofA othersA likeA youxA
madeAitAhappen.A

www.Anticuts.com

@ncafc_uk
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18

@ncafc UK
anticuts.com
fb.com/ncafc