UCU branches slam Swansea and Cardiff Universities joining "defence" alliance

STAFF at Cardiff and Swansea Universities have slammed bosses’ decision to join with “industries that profit from violence and suffering” in the Defence Universities Alliance (DUA).

The Ministry of Defence initiative was launched in July 2025 by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer as part of his drive to put the economy on a “war footing,” going on to attract 35 universities as founding members.

Among them, Cardiff and Swansea stand as the only two from Wales and University and College Union (UCU) branches at both institutions have passed motions slamming the move.