Cambridge University may go it alone over lecturer pensions

 Cambridge University may withdraw from a new pension scheme for staff.

Prof Stephen Toope, the vice-chancellor, said the institution may consider its own pension scheme to end protests and strikes over changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme.

In a statement on the university’s website, Prof Toope said that the current situation cannot go on, and had led to “anger from staff and anxiety from students”. He called for a solution to end the dispute. UCU, the union for staff in higher education and Universities UK (UUK), representing employers, are to hold talks at ACAS. The row follows proposals to switch pensions from a guaranteed income to one subject to the stock market.

UUK says the scheme has a £6billion deficit that must be addressed, while UCU argues that the proposals could leave lecturers £10,000 a year worse off in their retirement.