Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has issued guidance to universities on pay deductions during marking boycotts.

Unlike some education sectors where the government has taken part in negotiations with trade unions, universities are autonomous. They are therefore responsible for the pay and pension provision of their staff. While government plays no formal role in such disputes, there is concern about the potential impact of the marking and assessment boycott. The government hopes all parties can reach an agreement that delivers good value for students, staff and universities, so further industrial action can be avoided.

On 22 June 2023, I met with Universities UK (UUK), the Russell Group and UCEA to better understand the impact of this boycott. I have also written to the Russell Group and UUK, encouraging them to continue to do everything within their powers to protect the interests of students during this phase of industrial action.

On 27 June 2023, I met with a number of higher education (HE) representative groups to discuss the marking and assessment boycott, including the mitigating actions HE institutions are taking.

On 12 June 2023, the Office for Students (OfS) wrote to institutions affected by the boycott to reiterate its expectations in relation to its conditions of registration. The OfS will continue to monitor this ongoing situation through their normal regulatory mechanisms.

My officials and I will continue to engage with the HE sector over the coming weeks to help better understand the boycott’s impact and the mitigating actions HE institutions are taking.