Miliband joins Clegg in voicing discomfort with profit

By politics.co.uk staff

Campaigners against profit in the education system today added Ed Miliband to their supporters after he criticised the idea at the TUC conference.

Delegates at the trade union meeting are expected to back a motion later which would condemn any attempt to divert public funding for higher education into the for-profit sector.

Mr Miliband's comments come just weeks after deputy prime minister Nick Clegg spoke out on for-profit education providers while attempting to soothe concerns in Lib Dem ranks about Michael Gove's free schools programme.

 “We are pleased that Ed Miliband has followed Nick Clegg’s lead from last week and come out strongly against a for-profit motive in education," said Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt.

Campaigners said a recent white paper would allow for-profit companies currently being investigated by Congress in Washington to become involved in UK education via government–backed student loans.

A recent survey of 500 professors by the union found 85% believed for-profit providers would offer lower quality courses than public universities, if they were given the green light to expand.
 

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.