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It is natural for staff unions to seek large pay increases on the back of the major growth in higher education institutions' income due to top-up fees ("Unions issue deadline on pay deal and promise early action", October 14). But isn't the plot being lost?

The purpose of fee dereg-ulation is to enhance the quality of the educational experience of students. True, better pay, especially if targeted and related to performance, might be expected to contribute to such enhancement. But research does not suggest that students will see pay increases in this light.

Can the unions guarantee that the pay awards that they are seeking will be of measurable benefit to students? Perhaps the sector, which has research as a core activity, should first research the needs.

Mike Goldstein

Chairman

Heist (formerly the Higher Education Information Services Trust)