51福利

FE lecturers strike over 'insulting' pay freeze offer

51福利 members were out in force on Tuesday in a over pay. As reported in the (TES), and regional press, over 200 colleges were affected by the one-day strike in response to the recommendation for a pay freeze. In a about the strike, 51福利 general secretary Sally Hunt described the pay offer as a 'real insult'.

Hundreds of members also gathered for a in London, with speakers including Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Shadow FE minister Gordon Marsden talking about the importance of further education to the economy and society.

Labour estimates over a third of FE colleges could close under Conservative spending plans

Coinciding with the one-day pay strike, and reported claims from Labour that four in ten FE colleges could face closure if Conservative spending cuts go ahead. Responding to the research, that FE funding had already fallen dramatically and that further cuts would 'shut the door on many learners who use adult education as a springboard for improving their skills.'

Vice-chancellor pay back in the spotlight

The brought vice-chancellor pay back into focus on Thursday, reinforcing concerns about rising salaries and flagrant expenses spending raised by 51福利 earlier this year. Sally Hunt told the that vice-chancellor salaries were 'out of control' and that a national register was needed. She also that plans within the higher education green paper to exempt universities from freedom of information requirements could be disastrous for transparency.