President's weekly update
26 October 2023
Conflict in Israel and Palestine
I attended a UUK online meeting with almost 140 other vice-chancellors to discuss how universities support those affected by the terrible situation in Israel and Palestine. All were facing the same issues as us, with many staff, students and alumni deeply affected and upset, and with a small, but nonetheless unacceptable number of reports of racial hatred, harassment and fear. We were reminded that any support for organisations that are proscribed by the UK government as a terrorist organisation, including Hamas, are likely to face serious consequences because it is in breach of UK anti-terrorist laws.
We continue to work with our Students’ Union and relevant student societies, our Muslim and Jewish Chaplaincies and, where necessary, with Greater Manchester Police. Please remind any staff or students who are affected that we are keen to offer help and support.
Positive progress with USS pension
This is the pension scheme for most of our academic staff and Professional Services (PS) staff in higher grades. In 2022, major changes were initiated because the scheme had a deficit of just over £14 billion and the pension regulator demanded such changes as they felt that USS was at the limit of what they considered prudent. The most recent valuation indicates a surplus of £7 billion, largely due to the increase in interest rates. This has led to a proposal to reverse the changes made in 2022, reduce the cost to employees and employers and provide some ‘augmentation’ of pensions for lower accrued benefits. There was overwhelming support for the proposed changes from UCU members and we have responded positively to the consultation, which we welcome.
Engagement across Greater Manchester (GM)
I had discussions with Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of GM Combined Authority (GMCA), and Simon Nokes, Executive Director of Policy and Strategy at GMCA, about our planned Investment Zone.
At the Innovation GM (IGM) Board, we discussed the future remit, role and deliverables of IGM, including in Investment Zones and in the GM devolution deal.
In our regular discussion between the GM vice-chancellors, we talked about collaboration on creative activities, pensions (many other universities are in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme with likely big increases in costs), the impact of our universities on the region (economic, jobs creation and social) and innovation.
Finance
Finance and Capital Sub-Committee recommended our near final accounts for the last year for the next stage of approval. We also had an extended discussion about pressing needs for long-term maintenance across our estate, how we develop our next estates strategy given the high cost of our estate, and the need for investment and ever changing demands and space utilisation.
New Advanced British Standard
You may have seen that the government plans to bring in this new qualification to replace A and T levels. I attended a meeting with senior staff from the Department for Education to discuss some of the details. The aim is that the new qualification, which may take a decade to be fully in place, will combine academic and technical qualifications and will give students a broader education with three ‘major’ and two ‘minor’ subjects, including English and Maths up to age 18, and longer teaching hours. Universities are being asked how this may impact on us.
A great Manchester icon - Sir Bobby Charlton
With sadness, we noted Sir Bobby's death. Most press has quite rightly covered his amazing football career. But he was also passionate about a charity ‘Find a Better Way’ to remove landmines. He greatly supported our University’s major efforts in this area. We awarded him an honorary doctorate almost exactly 10 years ago, 17 October, 2013. Our sympathies to his family and friends…a great Manchester icon.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor