Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told representatives of Universities UK to “commit to meaningful negotiations” to resolve the dispute on changes to university employees’ pensions.

The message comes as staff begin a month of strikes today, 22 February, affecting 64 universities, over one million students and 575,000 teaching hours, according to the University and College Union (UCU).

Corbyn said the Labour Party is “deeply concerned” by the proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme “that would leave our university staff up to £10,000 a year worse off in retirement”.

“Downgrading the pension scheme will affect recruitment, retention and ultimately our ability offer world-class higher education. Everyone deserves the dignity and security in old age that comes from a decent pension."

He added that for everyone’s sake a solution needs to be found, which avoids further disruption, and commit now to meaningful negotiations.

Commenting, UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: “Jeremy Corbyn's support is a huge boost to staff striking today and we thank him for taking the time to send the message. In a rare show of unity both Labour and the Tories are now telling UUK to get back round the table with us.”

'We are ready to meet at any time for serious negotiations about how we resolve this mess - either directly with UUK or through Acas. The time has come for UUK to listen to the many voices telling them to start talking.'

In addition, Universities Minister Sam Gyimah has also called on UUK and the UCU to get back to negotiations. In a tweet, he said UCU and the UUK needed to "find a way through this damaging and avoidable impasse ASAP."

UCU members are walking out over plans to end the DB element of the USS pension scheme. The union is meeting on Friday 2 March to consider universities' response to the first wave of strikes and what further action might be necessary.

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