Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has held recent discussions with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association on the membership status of Queen's University Belfast.

Education is a devolved matter. The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for higher education policy in Northern Ireland.

The department is aware that the marking and assessment boycott is affecting students across all four nations of the UK.

Unlike some other education sectors, where the UK government has taken part in negotiations with trade unions in England, universities are autonomous. They are, therefore, responsible for the pay and pension provision of their staff.

While the government plays no formal role in such disputes, we are deeply concerned about the potential impact of the marking and assessment boycott on students, particularly those who are coming up to graduation and looking to enter the jobs market or progress to further study.

It is hugely disappointing that students, many of whom have already faced significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strike action, are now facing further uncertainty. It is imperative that higher education institutions continue to do everything within their powers to protect the interests of their students.

On 6 July 2023, I spoke with the Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss how the University agreed a pay settlement with its staff.

I have also met with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), Universities UK and the Russell Group to better understand the impact that this boycott will have on students and the mitigating actions their members are taking to protect students’ interests.

On 14 July 2023, the UCEA and the University and College Union held talks about resuming negotiations which would bring an end to the boycott. I was pleased to hear that these initial discussions were positive. We hope all parties can reach an agreement that delivers good value for students, staff and universities, so further industrial action can be avoided.