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NUS president: 'I dream about days where no Tories turn up to vote' NUS president: 'I dream about days where no Tories turn up to vote'
(7 months later)
There aren’t many quiet days for a National Union of Students president faced with a government intent on squeezing every last penny out of students.There aren’t many quiet days for a National Union of Students president faced with a government intent on squeezing every last penny out of students.
I’m meeting Megan Dunn at parliament today, where MPs are about to debate the government’s decision to replace maintenace grants with loans. It’s a move that will see England’s poorest students rack up almost £13,000 more debt over their time at university.I’m meeting Megan Dunn at parliament today, where MPs are about to debate the government’s decision to replace maintenace grants with loans. It’s a move that will see England’s poorest students rack up almost £13,000 more debt over their time at university.
Dunn was elected NUS president in April, and by May, the Conservatives had swept to power. She tells me the organisation had to “kick into action immediately” after the election result, and it’s been sleepless nights – interspersed with the odd “nice dream about days where no Tory MPs turn up to vote” – ever since.Dunn was elected NUS president in April, and by May, the Conservatives had swept to power. She tells me the organisation had to “kick into action immediately” after the election result, and it’s been sleepless nights – interspersed with the odd “nice dream about days where no Tory MPs turn up to vote” – ever since.
Dunn is at parliament to lobby MPs to think again about the abolition of grants. She says NUS research shows the change will turn students and their parents off the idea of them going to university.Dunn is at parliament to lobby MPs to think again about the abolition of grants. She says NUS research shows the change will turn students and their parents off the idea of them going to university.
Hours later, it proves to be to no avail: MPs vote in favour of scrapping grants, with a majority of 14 votes.Hours later, it proves to be to no avail: MPs vote in favour of scrapping grants, with a majority of 14 votes.
The government argues that, under the new system, students will have access to more funding while at university than they’ve ever had (the loan will be £8,200 a year) – albeit as a loan instead of a grant. Surely that’s a good thing? Dunn disagrees. “I think the principle that the poorest students should pay the most to go to university is one we should oppose.The government argues that, under the new system, students will have access to more funding while at university than they’ve ever had (the loan will be £8,200 a year) – albeit as a loan instead of a grant. Surely that’s a good thing? Dunn disagrees. “I think the principle that the poorest students should pay the most to go to university is one we should oppose.
“The government isn’t taking seriously its responsibility to make sure the poorest students have access to education.”“The government isn’t taking seriously its responsibility to make sure the poorest students have access to education.”
I ask if the Labour party, with it’s own internal battles raging on, is really equipped to provide an effective opposition to education cuts. Dunn isn’t going to be drawn on whether she’s a Corbynista (“I wouldn’t say anything on the matter”), but points out there has been cross-party opposition to the cuts – from the Democratic Unionists, to the Scottish Nationalists. Even the Liberal Democrats – previously Tory collaborators on the tripling of fees – are against the axing of grants.I ask if the Labour party, with it’s own internal battles raging on, is really equipped to provide an effective opposition to education cuts. Dunn isn’t going to be drawn on whether she’s a Corbynista (“I wouldn’t say anything on the matter”), but points out there has been cross-party opposition to the cuts – from the Democratic Unionists, to the Scottish Nationalists. Even the Liberal Democrats – previously Tory collaborators on the tripling of fees – are against the axing of grants.
Has the NUS has forgiven the Lib Dems for their previous broken promises? “I think there is a generation of students who would say it is impossible to forgive the Lib Dems. I think at the election they were held to account, which was important to students, and for democracy: you can’t just make a promise and break it and expect it to be forgotten.”Has the NUS has forgiven the Lib Dems for their previous broken promises? “I think there is a generation of students who would say it is impossible to forgive the Lib Dems. I think at the election they were held to account, which was important to students, and for democracy: you can’t just make a promise and break it and expect it to be forgotten.”
While the debt mountain is set to increase for students (in addition to the maintenance grant cuts, the government is also considering allowing universities to increase fees in line with inflation), Dunn points out that the day-to-day cost of attending university is also a pressing concern for students.While the debt mountain is set to increase for students (in addition to the maintenance grant cuts, the government is also considering allowing universities to increase fees in line with inflation), Dunn points out that the day-to-day cost of attending university is also a pressing concern for students.
“It’s not just about who gets to go to university, but about who gets to stay there. There has been no look at what this means for students who want to continue their education, not just get through the front door.“It’s not just about who gets to go to university, but about who gets to stay there. There has been no look at what this means for students who want to continue their education, not just get through the front door.
“We’ve had a national stereotype about students living in rat-infested houses and eating baked beans, like it’s some kind of joke. What we’re talking about is poverty. If you’re waking up worrying about how to feed yourself or get to unversity, it’s much harder to thrive in higher education.”“We’ve had a national stereotype about students living in rat-infested houses and eating baked beans, like it’s some kind of joke. What we’re talking about is poverty. If you’re waking up worrying about how to feed yourself or get to unversity, it’s much harder to thrive in higher education.”
Related: Students protest against scrapping of maintenance grants – in pictures
I wonder if bleak times for university students make for a bad time to be president of the NUS. Is Dunn living a nightmare? She says not. “I love it. It’s the best job in the world.”I wonder if bleak times for university students make for a bad time to be president of the NUS. Is Dunn living a nightmare? She says not. “I love it. It’s the best job in the world.”
As we speak, students are starting to assemble on Westminster Bridge for a #GrantsNotDebt protest. What else does Dunn suggest students do to oppose education cuts or to affect change? “Get involved in your student union. If there is an issue that you particularly care about, start talking and campaigning about it, and work with other people who feel strongly about it.As we speak, students are starting to assemble on Westminster Bridge for a #GrantsNotDebt protest. What else does Dunn suggest students do to oppose education cuts or to affect change? “Get involved in your student union. If there is an issue that you particularly care about, start talking and campaigning about it, and work with other people who feel strongly about it.
“It’s only when we come together we can create real change.”“It’s only when we come together we can create real change.”
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