NUS in the '80s and '90s

The 1980s saw a considerable change in the nature of students, students’ unions and post-16 education generally. NUS adapted to meet these new changes, both in terms of its structures and democratic processes. New posts on the National Executive Committee were set up in the mid-1980s to reflect the continuing importance and priority of women and further education students, in particular.

NUS Successes Along with students’ unions, NUS attracted the attention of certain Conservative MPs who were looking to end state funding of students’ unions and, as a consequence, NUS. This led to a number of attempts through Parliament to end what was widely and deliberately misunderstood as the ‘closed shop’ of students’ unions and NUS. All of these failed, and it wasn’t until after the 1992 general election that the Government eventually brought in primary legislation under the Education Act 1994. This was relatively innocuous compared to the original intention of splitting up students’ union services between those that could be publicly funded and those that could only be funded by voluntary contributions from students. Intensive and effective lobbying by NUS and students’ unions ensured the survival of students’ unions as we know them.

In 1995 NUS succeeds in tabling amendments to the Education (Student Loans) Bill, designed to privatise the Student Loans Company, in both Houses of Parliament. After intense lobbying of MPs and high profile media work, most financial institutions refuse to tender to provide loans. The two serious bidders - Barclays and Clydesdale - only submit bids after agreeing to all of the guarantees demanded by NUS on behalf of students. This takes their bids outside of the scope of the Government’s intentions and, in September, the Department for Education and Employment is forced to drop the plans.

The work of NUS at the end of the 1990’s became dominated by top up fees. 40,000 students march in 14 cities up and down the country against plans to introduce tuition fees in 1997. This was followed by a week of action to ‘stop fees now’. The Government announces plans to introduce fees in the Teaching and Higher Education Bill, but significant safeguards are won to prevent universities charging ‘top-up’ fees. NUS called for a one day shutdown of higher education to underline its continued opposition to tuition fees, and announces a UK-wide student referendum on the introduction of fees.

Major Successes

1980

Proposals to cut the total money given to students’ unions by £3.8 million are withdrawn after extensive NUS lobbying.

1983

NUS wins the right for students to claim housing benefit.

NUS helps to secure an extra £46 million for overseas students' bursaries.

1984

NUS helps to secure an extra £40 million for polytechnics and colleges.

NUS forces the Government to back down on plans for tuition fees and parental contributions.

1986

NUS defeats proposals for the introduction of loans.

1987

Student pressure forces Barclays Bank to withdraw from South Africa.

NUS ensures that students only pay 20% of poll tax.

1989

At the third Government attempt to introduce student loans, NUS pressure results in the banks pulling out of the scheme.

1990

After NUS lobbying, the EC drops legislation which would have made it impossible for students’ unions and many other groups to operate minibuses. NUS helps to secure an extra £40 million for polytechnics and colleges.

1991

The Government proposes to abolish the binary divide - the inequalities in status and funding between the polytechnics and universities. NUS had first called for this over twenty years before, and had continued to do so ever since.

NUS lobbying results in students on grants and loans not being liable for the new Council Tax.

1992

After NUS organised opposition, the Government concedes to include student representation on the governing bodies of the new further education corporations and to maintain it on the higher education corporations.

1993

NUS produces its own 'Student Charter' which is hailed by the education world as a clear and challenging step in the right direction. This pre-empts the Charters devised by the Department for Education, and leads to the development of local charters throughout the further and higher education sectors.

1994

The 1994 Education Act is a triumph for NUS lobbying after the Government climbs down during the debate. Apart from the ‘opt-out of automatic membership’ clause, students’ union services and operations emerge virtually unscathed from the legislation. The Act in its original form would have led to the separation of SU services, creating increased costs for students’ unions and destabilising their bases.

1995

NUS succeeds in tabling amendments to the Education (Student Loans) Bill, designed to privatise the Student Loans Company, in both Houses of Parliament. After intense lobbying of MPs and high profile media work, most financial institutions refuse to tender to provide loans. The two serious bidders - Barclays and Clydesdale - only submit bids after agreeing to all of the guarantees demanded by NUS on behalf of students. This takes their bids outside of the scope of the Government’s intentions and, in September, the Department for Education and Employment is forced to drop the plans.

1996

NUS is vocal in calling for an independent inquiry into further and higher education. NUS welcomes Sir Ron Dearing’s appointment to chair the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education and holds regular meetings with Sir Ron.

NUS acts as the official conduit for the committee’s consultation of students’ unions. The committee takes oral evidence on NUS’ submission in February 1997. This follows a massive consultation exercise, where NUS invites written submissions from every member union, organises a day-long seminar attended by Sir Ron Dearing and 170 officers of NUS’ member unions, and runs feedback sessions at NUS regional conferences.

1997

NUS plays a key role in the most successful voter registration campaign ever, working alongside the ‘Rock the Vote’ campaign to ensure an extra 300,000 students are registered to vote in the May 1st general election.

NUS wins exemption from tuition fees for ‘gap year’ students entering higher education in 1998.

40,000 students march in 14 cities up and down the country against plans to introduce tuition fees.

NUS holds a week of action to ‘stop fees now’. The Government announces plans to introduce fees in the Teaching and Higher Education Bill, but significant safeguards are won to prevent universities charging ‘top-up’ fees.

NUS wins places on a series of Government advisory committees, including the influential Booth Committee, representing the opinions of students.

1998

NUS calls for a one day shutdown of higher education to underline its continued opposition to tuition fees, and announces a UK-wide student referendum on the introduction of fees.

NUS pressures the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) to prevent universities from levying administration charges on the collection of tuition fees.

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