At a Glance:
- Ongoing efforts to retain higher education provision in Southend
- MPs and council leaders working together on a solution
- Calls for greater transparency from the University of Essex
- Requests for financial clarity to explore potential building purchases
- Continued pressure to support staff, students, and the local community
Since the announcement of the University of Essex’s decision to close the Southend Campus in December 2025, I along with David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, and the Leader of Southend City Council, Cllr Daniel Cowan, have consistently worked for a meaningful solution for staff, students, and Southend as a city that sees the continued offer of higher education.
Over the last 4 months, the situation continues to evolve. In parliament, I have told the stories of staff and students in the chamber as part of an Adjournment Debate on Government support for Higher Education. We have jointly written to the Minister for Skills, the Minister for Higher Education and the Prime Minister to highlight the impact that the departure of the University of Essex in Southend.
Calls for Transparency
Locally, we continue to push the Vice Chancellor and the senior leadership to maintain transparency and clear communication with staff and students. They face an uncertain future, both personally and professionally, and it is more important than ever that consistent communication is prioritised. Both here in Southend and in parliament, we are pulling every lever we can to ensure that staff, students, and residents’ voices are heard.
In the most recent letter to the Vice Chancellor, we invited the VC and the senior leadership team to a meeting with students at the Southend campus. While similar meetings have taken place at the Colchester campus, no such meetings have been arranged at Southend, where the impact of the withdrawal will be felt most acutely. I am disappointed that this has not been arranged sooner by the university. In meetings I attended last year, with staff and students, the consistent theme was uncertainty. It’s vital that they have a direct line with those making a decision that will impact the next few years of their professional and personal lives.
Demandfor Financial Clarity
We further have formally requested that the full financial modelling be shared with the offices of the MPs’ and Southend City Council. As outlined in the letter written on the 12th February, the Council, with support from the MPs offices, are willing to explore purchasing specific buildings to help ease the financial pressures on the university, which has resulted in the announced departure. However, without knowledge of the underlying financial position, we cannot pursue this further.
As we move into Spring, I will continue to push the university to commit to transparency and accountability which ensures staff and students are not left in the dark. I will update residents as this progresses.
by Bayo Alaba
MP for Southend East and Rochford
01702 844754
bayo.alaba.mp@parliament.uk