Protests may halt universities

Students and lecturers today threatened to bring universities to a standstill with a double onslaught of industrial action.

Lecturers are to strike over pay in the same week as a campaign of disruption by students protesting against the Government's plan for topup fees.

It will be the biggest show of anger at New Labour's plans for universities since the fees plan narrowly escaped defeat at the hands of rebel MPs.

The executive of the Association of University Teachers (AUT) meets tomorrow to confirm the date of a two-day strike - expected to be in the week beginning 23 February.

The National Union of Students will call for mass student action on the same days.

AUT members voted overwhelmingly for the strike, with 66 per cent of those taking part backing the walk-out.

Even more backed plans to refuse to mark students' work - a move which could see some students without degrees later this year.

The AUT is unhappy at a proposed new pay structure, which has been backed by members of the larger union Natfhe at former polytechnics.

The AUT opposes it because of its long-term impact and vulnerability to inflation.