We are extremely disappointed that the UCU has decided to take industrial action, in particular because of the effect on students' education, and we will do all we can to minimise the impact on students.

Pay and pensions are national issues affecting millions of employees across the public and private sectors. Most people would accept that a large pay increase in the current economic climate is completely unrealistic. The unions representing other staff, UNITE and UNISON, have accepted the maximum affordable increase of 0.4%; the UCU has not.

The pension reforms are required to protect the scheme for future generations, but it remains one of the most generous in the country, with all our existing staff keeping their final salary pensions.

Despite unprecedented turbulence in the higher education sector, jobs at Leeds remain among the most secure in the country, and we have sector-leading policy and procedures for change management and restructuring.

On local issues, good progress is being made in meetings with the UCU, further talks are scheduled and that is the best way to resolve our differences.