The neoliberal nightmare in education has started - but so has a fightback that can stop it. Greenwich University has also occupied over the philosophy department being cut - please share widely, and please visit or send solidarity messages to support the students and workers as soon as you can!

The neoliberal nightmare in education has started - but so has a fightback that can stop it. Students occupied the graduate centre on Wednesday, while the UCU and UNISON branches are preparing for strike action. Greenwich University has also occupied over the philosophy department being cut. .Please go to the link to watch a 6 minute film.

London Metropolitan University is planning to cut 70% of it's courses - around 400, including history, philosophy, performing arts, trade union studies and carribean studies (the only course of its kind in the country). It also plans to slash many of its student support services, including the acclaimed Learning Development Centre.

It is clear now that London Met is being used as a testing ground to bring in privatisation in education. Vice chancellor Professor Malcolm Gillies is also the executive director of the only private university in Holland - a business school charging 15,000 euros a year in fees - with compulsory add on charges for extra services and trips. Funnily enough, business is one of the few areas at London Met that isn't being cut.

Gillies" right hand man is Jonathan Woodhead, previously the chief researcher in Universities minister David Willetts office. Willetts has already said that he wants to introduce private universities - and suddenly here's Woodhead overseeing the asset stripping of London Met in preparation for privatisation.

London Metropolitan University has the most ethnically diverse student population in the country, predominately working-class and with a reputation for giving a second chance in education to those who were failed by the system the first time round. If these cuts go through, that ethos will be replaced by one of education just for the privileged, with the rest of us trained to be cannon fodder for low paid jobs in a neoliberal, privatised economy.

This is a major battle that needs your support. Please go and visit the students at the occupied graduate centre on Holloway Road tube, and send messages of support to: wearelondonmet@groups.facebook.com.