Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on a London Economics report for the University and College Union (UCU) showing a £2.5 billion funding ‘black hole’ for universities, said:

“The Government must step in to support universities and mitigate their funding shortfall to prevent the significant economic impact this report predicts.

“UK universities must be valued as part of the frontline response to the coronavirus pandemic, supplying students to the NHS and conducting world-class research into the virus.

“Labour is calling on the Government to underwrite all Higher Education institutions to secure their future and their role in our economic recovery and acknowledge their contribution to the national effort to fight this pandemic.’’