Lecturers' pay dispute causes exam chaos

Exams at one in five of British universities have been thrown into chaos as industrial action by lecturers threatens to derail graduation plans for thousands of students, new figures show.

The most comprehensive national survey so far into the impact of the ongoing row over academics' pay reveals that exams have been cancelled or put on hold at 19 per cent of the 85 universities which responded.

The results, published by the Press Association, say nearly 1,400 students have been affected by the exam cancellations so far in the four universities which gave student figures. The details come after university employers refused to increase their "best and final" offer of a 12.6 per cent pay rise over three years.

Academics' unions AUT and Natfhe want a 23 per cent rise over three years and have vowed that the national boycott of marking will continue. The unions claim lecturers' pay - averaging around £35,000 a year - has fallen behind comparable professions.