The Early 2000's

NUS’ biggest battle in the early years of the new millennium was against the Labour government and the dire financial situation many students had to face. In 2000 NUS persuaded over 100 MPs to sign up to an early day motion against top-up-fees. This battle against fees resulted in the abolition of up-front tuition fees in Scotland. Also, we saw success in Northern Ireland where NUS-USI demonstrated in Belfast successfully influencing the Assembly’s vote to end tuition fees and brink back a student grants. Unfortunately, for England and Wales, NUS’ mass support in parliament, local government, external organisations, students unions and with the general public did not result in a u-turn by the executive.

The ‘Stop Fees Now’ campaign, in 2003, brought 31,000 students from around the country to the centre of London in the largest student demonstration that NUS have organised. The demo was the lead item on over 300 radio and television programmes in the UK and across the world throughout the day. NUS, through Ian Gibson MP, layed down early day motion 7, opposing the Higher Education Bill, which was signed by 185 MPs. The battle had only just begun in 2004 the Higher Education Bill entered the Commons. Read all about that on the 2004 page.

The threat of top up fees dominated the agenda in the early 00’s but NUS have many victories over student welfare. The Scottish Parliament introduced compulsory licensing for rented accommodation with two or more tenants as a direct result of NUS Scotland’s work. NUS Scotland also won a tender to set up the SPARQS project (Student Participation in Quality Scotland), which works with students to ensure they have input on the quality of their courses. NUS successfully fought for the Child Tax Credit to cover students. Also students were given a voice in institutional audit, students’ unions in England were given the opportunity to input into the new QAA process.