Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions her Department has had with the University and College Union on industrial action at the University of Nottingham; and what steps she is taking to ensure students are not adversely affected.

Higher education (HE) providers are independent, and as such the government is not involved in negotiations regarding workforce issues. Nevertheless, we recognise the detrimental impact that marking and assessment boycotts can have on students and therefore urge all parties to work together towards a fair, reasonable, and sustainable resolution that minimises disruption.

The government continues to engage regularly with the sector, unions and employer bodies to better understand the issues affecting HE providers.