We agree with UCU that government cuts to the higher education budget are a risk to the quality and international competitiveness of the UK university sector and we are continuing to make that point to the government and opposition parties. But we can't see what good strike action at Leeds would do. Severe cuts are a reality for the next academic year, and, like countless other organisations, the University had to make savings to keep its books balanced as income falls and costs rise. We are committed to working with the unions to avoid compulsory redundancies if we can, and we will be doing everything possible to protect the quality of our academic work.

The University and UCU representatives attended separate briefing meetings with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (5 January). These were held in preparation for talks to resolve the dispute which are scheduled for the 11, 19 and 25 January 2010.