Morley and UCU unite at Parliament to champion adult education

On Wednesday 19 November, representatives from Morley College London joined forces with the University and College Union (UCU) at the Palace of Westminster. The delegation attended a parliamentary lobby driven by a shared and urgent concern: the ongoing cuts to adult education funding.

A unified voice

While management and unions often discuss internal matters, this event highlighted a unified front on the bigger picture. Both Morley and the UCU are in firm agreement that the erosion of funding poses a significant threat not just to the sector, but to the communities we serve.

The lobby provided an opportunity for staff and students to speak directly with policymakers about the reality of the cuts. The message was clear: adult education is not an optional extra, but a pillar of social infrastructure.

Banners held by the Morley contingent summed up the sentiment perfectly, bearing the slogan: “Adult Education = Healthier Society.”

The perspective from the ground

Jill Kennedy-McNeill, UCU Representative, was at the forefront of the lobby, coordinating with staff and ensuring the college’s voice was heard. She said:

“In numbers that were estimated to approach 300, we assembled at gate D and waited with aching joints, numb fingers and blocked nostrils for approaching 2 hours while security explained that they hadn’t seen a lobby of this scale since long before Covid times.

“John McDonnell’s office came through for us a few days prior and managed to secure a larger committee room but, based on the 1 in 1 out rule, we had a somewhat frustrating morning.

“To pass the time as we stood in the shadow of the splendid and expansive Houses of Parliament, we speculated on the plausibility that every single other room was occupied. This gave rise to an interesting cross-college discussion in the queue about the value of democratic processes which are so prohibitively administered as to be near-impossible to engage with.

“There’s nothing like standing in 2 degrees centigrade for a protracted period to focus the mind on issues of social justice, I find.

“The picture was far from entirely bleak, however. From Morley there were 8 classes and around 10 unaccompanied members of staff in attendance. Two of my students addressed an audience of 100 in committee room 10 to a great reception – one of them struggled with nerves even whilst speaking to her fellow classmates as recently as September and, to put it plainly, I simply couldn’t have been prouder of them.

“We held talks with the following MPs: Apsana Begum, Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Diane Butler, Florence Eshalomi, Marsha de Cordova, Tulip Siddiq, Kerry McCarthy and Tessa Munt.

“The idea is to try to maintain these contacts and the momentum built by the planning and execution of the lobby.”

The student perspective

Morley student Sophia Hines (BA (Hons) Fashion, year 3) gave the following speech:

“As a mum of two living with ADHD and diabetes, I know first-hand how vital adult education is for people like me. Returning to learning has given me the chance to build new skills and open doors to pursue work after upskilling, that fits around my health needs and my children, but without proper support, it simply wouldn’t be possible.

“Flexible course times, fee reductions, learner support funds, childcare bursaries, disability adjustments, and assistive tools allow parents, disabled adults, and neurodivergent learners to study at a pace we can sustain.

“Not everyone wants, or is able, to go straight into a degree or cope with fast-paced, high-pressure environments that can feel overwhelming and often overlook the need for personalised adjustments, which is why accessible adult education is a crucial and realistic pathway for so many of us.

“I also see the impact that staff funding cuts are having. Tutors are working with fewer resources, larger classes, and reduced specialist support, and this directly affects the quality of education we receive. When staff are overstretched or posts are cut entirely, learners like me lose the guidance, stability, and personalised teaching we rely on to succeed.

“Adult education isn’t a luxury, it is a lifeline that helps people stay employable, independent, and engaged in their communities. Cutting funding for both learners and staff closes doors for thousands of families who are trying their best to build a better future, and we need investment, not cuts, so adults like me can keep learning and keep contributing.”

Why it matters

As the landscape of education funding shifts, lobbies like these are important in reminding the government of the unique role Morley plays.

The event on the 19th was a powerful demonstration of solidarity, proving that when it comes to the survival of adult education, staff, union, and students stand together.

Photo credits: Sean Vernell.