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To suggest that ?600 million has been "frittered away" on the rewarding and developing staff (RDS) scheme is insulting and inaccurate. RDS was always, and remains, about recruiting, retaining and developing staff and helping to modernise management processes in the sector.

Nowhere in the criteria is it suggested that the scheme should be used to provide across-the-board pay rises.

Institutions have done a remarkable job in using RDS to improve the sector's ability to recruit and retain staff, develop equal opportunities and deliver improved pay mechanisms. It is important that employers and unions achieve an accurate shared understanding of the resources available to the sector.

Declan Leyden
Deputy director
Universities and Colleges Employers' Association