Leading Article: Pay the lecturers

The news that the University and College Union has rejected the 2.5 per cent offer made to further education college lecturers by their employers – coupled with the threat of further strike action along the lines of that pursued in conjunction with teachers last month – is regrettable.

College lecturers are in the forefront of delivering the Government's new diplomas from September, so any interruption in preparations is unwelcome. One possible solution would be to recognise the extra effort being demanded of them and come up with a one-off payment to smooth their palms.