UCU warns David Lammy to keep politics out of university pay talks

The union responded angrily to the minister's speech at the Universities UK conference where he called for a disciplined approach to pay and pensions, but failed to mention the thousands of staff that are losing their jobs in UK universities.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'The government is always happy to hide behind the excuse of universities' autonomy when it fancies ducking an issue. Therefore David Lammy should be careful not to be seen as providing support to university employers at a time when their refusal to negotiate a job security agreement has been condemned by all the unions in higher education. UCU members hold their hard won pay and pensions dear and talk of discipline is a little rich after the latest round of inflation-busting pay rises given to vice-chancellors.

'Mr Lammy should remember that recent pay rises for staff have been won despite the best efforts of the universities who have sought to keep pay down. These kinds of comments might curry favour with his audience, but are incredibly unhelpful and ill-thought through. Furthermore, staff at our universities will be extremely disappointed that Mr Lammy did not take the opportunity to acknowledge their current plight as job cuts continue to be announced up and down the country.'

The full speech can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/universities-uk-annual-conference.