This resolution, composited from resolutions submitted by Stratford no.1 branch and LU Fleet branch, was carried unanimously by the January meeting of the Regional Council:

Education: fees and cuts

1. This union deplores the ConDem government's action in voting to cut university funding, treble tuition fees and scrap the Education Maintenance Allowace (EMA).

2. We believe that this move will deter working-class people from continuing education, leaving it as a privilege for the few who can afford to pay to study.

3. The government's policy to take away Education Maintenance Allowance and increase student fees will make higher and further education less accessible to working class people and are part of an ideologically motivated attack on working class living standards.

4. Student protests and occupations have involved thousands of young people, mostly getting involved in activity for the first time, and has attracted widespread support despite being vilified in the right wing press and criminalised by the authorities, exactly the same treatment that is dealt out to trade unions in struggle.

5. We commend the actions of our union both nationally and regionally in supporting the student protests.

6. We recognise that active solidarity between ourselves, the students, and other groups fighting cuts will strengthen all our struggles and encourage a generalised fightback against government attacks.

7. We welcome the links made by the London Transport Regional Council with the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC), including: delegations of students attending our picket lines; LTRC officers visiting student occupations; and the widely-supported Statement of Mutual Solidarity.

8. This Regional Council resolves to donate £200 to the NCAFC.