Staff And Students March Through Town

Around two hundred members of the Uni marched through town today to show support for the national day of action against government plans.

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Cambridge staff and students were out in force today – marching against Higher Education cuts and in support of thousands public sector workers striking over changes to their pension plans.

Members of the University turned out in their hundreds to march against the White Paper and higher education cuts.

An eventful day for the university began with members of the University and College Union picketing outside main sites, asking students not to attend lectures and practicals.

At 11.30am picketers and students assembled by the doors of Great St. Mary’s Church. By the time the congregation had marched to join the larger protest there were about 200 people, wielding banners for UCU, CUSU, and the Labour Club, among others.

Staff and students congregate outside St Mary’s

Here they joined in the national strike, one of the biggest for a generation, as thousands of public sector workers rallied on Parker’s Piece in opposition to proposed government cuts and pension changes.

Richard Johnson, head of the Cambridge University Labour Club, told The Tab: “Ultimately what the government is doing is unleashing an unprecedented assault on public workersThey’re basically putting a tax on being a public sector worker – you pay more, you get less.”

“The government’s proposals are entirely unreasonable, and haven’t been sufficiently negotiated,” argued Thom Kirkwood, CUSU’s Academic Officer.

“The students’ union is supporting lecturers in their industrial action.”

Student protesters arrive at Parker’s Piece

Not all students are convinced though, as 1st year NatSci Matt Clarkson revealed. “Everyone is feeling the effect of cutbacks – the government has to find money somewhere,” he told The Tab.

Today’s march also signalled the end of the controversial occupation of Lady Mitchell Hall.