The Government will temporarily disengage with the National Union of Students (NUS) following recent antisemitism allegations.

The NUS will be removed from all Department for Education groups and replaced with alternative student representation, such as from the Office for Student’s student panel or from individual student unions, to ensure all students’ views are reflected fairly in conversations about higher education. The Department for Education is asking arm’s length bodies, including the Office for Students, to take similar action.

The Department for Education has also confirmed that the NUS will not receive any government funding. The Minister for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan, has also written to Civica, the electoral body that had oversight of the NUS election for the NUS President asking for more information on how the electoral process was carried out.

The allegations of antisemitism, which have been well-documented and span several years, have prompted a feeling of insecurity amongst Jewish students across the country and a worry systemic antisemitism within the organisation is not being properly addressed.

Although the NUS has shown a willingness to respond to concerns expressed by ministers, including beginning to kickstart a process of independent investigations, this will need to lead to substantive action. This decision to disengage from the NUS will be kept under review as the organisation demonstrates it has suitably addressed these issues.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:

I am seriously concerned to hear of so many reports of alleged antisemitism linked to the NUS.

Jewish students need to have confidence that this is a body that represents them, and we need to be sure that the student bodies that we engage with are speaking fairly for all students, which is why we are disengaging with the NUS until the issues have been addressed.

From the NUS’s initial response to our concerns, I am confident that they are keen to take action and welcome further updates from them. Antisemitism has no place in our society and we will stamp it out, wherever it occurs.

Higher and Further Education Minister Michelle Donelan said:

I am horrified by the thought of Jewish students feeling ostracised by an organisation which should be a voice for their community and an advocate of equality for all students.

Although this was a decision that the Department did not take lightly, we have been clear that antisemitism must be stamped out of the sector and are treating these allegations with the utmost seriousness.

Whilst our door is not closed to the NUS, our message could not be simpler. We need decisive and effective action in response to these repeated allegations of antisemitic behaviour. We are glad that the NUS has started to respond and are ready to work with them again when sufficient action has been taken.

This action follows a series of interventions from the department to tackle antisemitism on campus. Earlier this year, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Minister Donelan hosted an antisemitism summit which brought together vice chancellors, university representatives and Jewish rights groups to discuss measures and commitments that can be taken to ensure Jewish students and staff feel safe in higher education.

This builds on the drive to encourage more higher education providers to sign up to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism and, in 2021, more than triple the number of universities have done this – up to 95 from 28 in 2020.

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)

The IHRA is a leading international organisation focused on eradicating antisemitism in public life and educating about the holocaust.

Their definition of antisemitism is as follows:

Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

• Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay visited Derby’s Market Hall and Becketwell developments.
• Derbyshire is a recipient of £70million from the flagship Levelling Up Fund.
• Minister also met with veterans and staff at the Derby War Memorial Village, which provides housing for members of the local community.

Derby has been hailed as a shining example of the Government’s levelling up agenda by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay, who visited the city yesterday to see how regeneration plans are taking place.

The visit took place after yesterday’s regional cabinet meeting in Stoke-On-Trent, which discussed the Government’s levelling up agenda. Ministers visited the West of England, Midlands and Wales to hear from communities and businesses on how new legislation will help them prosper.

The Minister met with local leaders at the Derby Market Hall, which is in the process of being redeveloped, and the Becketwell regeneration project, which will comprise of a new public square, 259 apartments and a 3,500 capacity performance venue. The projects will contribute to the vibrancy of the city’s historic heart.

Derbyshire has received £70million from the Levelling Up Fund and today the Minister toured St Peters and Cathedral Quarter, which has received £15million from the Future High Streets fund to regenerate the prominent public space Market Hall and Eastern Gateway.

Mr Barclay also visited the War Memorial Village, which maintains high-quality housing for disabled veterans and former emergency services staff. There, he met with veterans, volunteers and staff to find out more about how the village continues to adapt and support the wider community.

The War Memorial Village Derby was created in 1949, after a local fundraising drive led by the local Rotary Club aimed to provide affordable accommodation for military veterans who had been disabled in the conflict.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay said:

Derby is a city of real vibrancy and it was fantastic to see the ambitious regeneration projects taking place across the city centre.

The redevelopment of the Market Hall is really starting to take shape and the £15 million Future High Streets funding will help develop other parts of the St Peter’s Quarter.

Levelling up is a central part of the Government’s ambition because we want to ensure people and communities up and down the country are able to thrive, so it was great to see how Derby has been able to access funding that will drive inward investment into the city centre and create opportunity for people.

Leader of Derby City Council Cllr Chris Poulter said:

We were delighted to welcome the Minister to Derby and show him the great strides we are making to rejuvenate and Level Up the city centre.

The minister was able to see first-hand the challenges and opportunities we face in Derby and the essential role Levelling Up can play in the city.

During his visit to the War Memorial Village, Mr Barclay also met with seven-year-old Finley Skinner, who has raised over £2,000 for veterans through a series of charity events.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay said:

Finley Skinner is a credit to his family and to the fantastic city of Derby as a whole. His fundraising efforts for military veterans have been outstanding and it was wonderful to hear him talk about his poppy making, 3k run and his plans to raise even more money in the months ahead.

I want to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran and that means ensuring we do all we can to have the best support services in place for those who have sacrificed so much to keep us all safe.

The work in Derby and in particular the War Memorial Village is a great example of what can be achieved when local authorities join forces with volunteers and the wider community to drive life-changing projects forward.