Halfon calls for talks to end university marking dispute

The government has urged university unions to restart talks and prevent the disruption from the ongoing marking and assessment boycott.

The dispute between the University and College Union (UCU) and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) has meant the marking of papers has stopped.

Education minister Robert Halfon has written to the unions expressing his concerns. The letter says: "I am deeply concerned about the impact of the ongoing marking and assessment boycott on students. It is unacceptable that students, many of whom have already suffered significant disruption to their studies over recent years, face further disruption and uncertainty. This disruption is particularly damaging to those students who are due to graduate and looking to enter the jobs market or progress to further study."

Robert Halfon urges the organisations to resume talks to prevent further disruption. He said: "I am aware that the recent negotiations between UCU and the University and College Employers Association (UCEA) have broken down, and so the marking and assessment boycott continues, with the potential for further industrial action into the forthcoming academic year. The government’s priority during any industrial action in higher education is the protection of students’ interests. For this reason, I strongly urge both UCU and UCEA to resume negotiations which I hope, if successful, will bring an end to the boycott and further industrial action."

UCU members voted to reject a pay offer for 2023-24 worth between 5% and 8%.