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One point needs clarification in the feature on the financial challenges facing higher education ("There may be trouble ahead", 3 April). The writer refers to "the uncertainty of the pay bid for 2008-09". There is no pay bid pending and the only uncertainty surrounding the current pay deal will be the value of the Retail Price Index.

The 2006-09 agreement is for three years, and this year staff are set to receive a further 3 per cent from 1 May and 2.5 per cent or RPI (currently 4.1 per cent) from 1 October. The next review date is 1 August 2009 and negotiations are set to take place in the preceding spring.

Jocelyn Prudence, Chief executive, Universities and Colleges Employers Association.