To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail what engagement he has had with further and higher education staff and students in relation to the upcoming strike action.

This proposed strike action does not include Northern Ireland’s Further Education colleges.

Whilst the Department provides funding and sets the strategic direction for the Higher Education sector in Northern Ireland, universities are autonomous institutions and are responsible for their own policies and procedures, including those related to pay, workload and superannuation. Therefore, pay and pensions, across the UK, are a matter for the Universities, as employers, and the staff trade unions.

However, I am disappointed that the University and College Union has decided there is a need to take further industrial action and I hope that any disruption can be kept to an absolute minimum. This is particularly true given the challenges our students have experienced in recent times. While I respect the right of staff to take part in mandated industrial action, and recognise that these decisions are not taken lightly, I would ask that all parties work towards a resolution so that students, across the UK, can receive the education and experience they deserve.