We Pay Student Unions £165m To ‘Threaten Freedom Of Speech'

Student unions cost millions of pounds, threaten free speech and fail to represent people on courses, according to a damning report from the Adam Smith Institute.

- David Williamson

It claims student unions come with a price tag of £165million a year – the equivalent of £225 per student over a three-year course.

The report states that although unions employ around 600 sabbatical officers, only a small minority of students participate in elections.

Accusing many unions of using cash to pursue a “narrow political agenda,” it reports attempts have been made to stop youngsters “wearing sombreros, putting on fancy dress, buying Bacardi rum, clapping, whooping, cheering and eating meat.”