Following today’s publication of the Department for Employment and Learning’s draft budget and spending plan, NUS-USI President Rebecca Hall has underlined her strong opposition to the proposed 10.8% cut to DEL funding within the Executive’s draft budget, saying it could have catastrophic consequences for students and the economy.
She said that government must invest in students, and there must be no increase in tuition fees and no reduction in the number of student places here.
NUS-USI President Rebecca Hall said: “The ramifications for students and for further and higher education of the Executive’s proposed cut to the Department for Employment and Learning’s budget could be catastrophic. Government must understand the disastrous impact that this proposed cut to DEL funding could have and reverse it.
“This proposed cut to DEL funding within the Executive’s draft budget could significantly damage students and young people’s career prospects as well as the economy.
“Students are our future and must be invested in. There must be no increase in tuition fees as it would be grossly unfair on future students. Students must not be left facing mortgage-style debts which could blight their financial futures.
“Students must not be burdened with the government’s financial problems. Increasing tuition fees could put many people off going to study at university and this could have a very damaging impact on people’s career opportunities.
“If there are less student places available in further and higher education, then people’s chances of reaching their potential could be significantly reduced. If government wants to grow the economy it should be investing in DEL rather than proposing cuts to its funding.
“DEL plays a crucial role in building a better future and growing the economy, because it helps deliver skills and qualifications to help meet the needs of employers. If cuts are imposed to DEL’s funding, it could be extremely difficult to attract new jobs and companies here, because this might mean that skills needs of companies cannot be met.
“Government must make investing in our future a key priority. That means investing in students and in further and higher education. Government simply must overturn the proposed cut to DEL funding within the draft budget.”
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Farry Invites Views On Employment aAnd Learning Budget For 2015/16
Employment and Learning Minster Dr Stephen Farry has today published a draft Departmental Savings Plan in relation to the 2015/16 budget for the Department for Employment and Learning.
The document sets out the impact the 2015/16 budget will have on his Department.
Minister Farry said: “This document outlines the possible impact on a wide range of functions and services across the Department and Arms Length Bodies in response to the Executive’s draft budget.
“The level of cuts being proposed for the Department is unprecedented and this will have far reaching and deep implications across all of the Department’s provision. The potential measures will impact on the universities, colleges and other sectoral training providers and will almost certainly result in a reduction in places offered to train and educate our young people. I am asking the public to respond by 29 December 2014.”
The document is available on the Department’s website at: http://www.delni.gov.uk/del-draft-budget-2015-16.
Completed responses should be emailed to: budgetconsultation@delni.gov.uk or delivered to the Department by 5.00pm on 29 December 2014.
Written responses should be sent to:
Stephen McMurray Finance Director Department for Employment and Learning Waterfront Plaza 8 Laganbank Road Belfast BT1 3LR.
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