On Thursday 19 January, former higher education Minister, Alan Johnson was asked by a journalist from London Student newspaper, at the University College London, about his famous House of Commons answer that 'university vice chancellors tell us that, in general at least a third of that money [3 billion from the taxpayer and £2 billion through existing fees and through the increase] would be put back into the salaries and conditions of staff'.
Asked if it was based on conversations with a few VCs or VCs representing the sector, Mr Johnson said: 'It was based on Universities UK'.
NATFHE general secretary Paul Mackney said:
'The cat is firmly out of the bag and university employers must now keep the promise they made to spend serious money on academic pay. Having used the pay promise to get top-up fees accepted by parliament, they must now come to the negotiating table and talk with the unions.
'NATFHE ballot forms are going out today and this confirmation of promises - despite subsequent employer denials - will enrage lecturers across the country and encourage them to support industrial action.
'There must be no more denial or double-talk. University employers must make a serious pay offer swiftly or face disruption and public condemnation for their duplicity.'
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