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FOR INFORMATION Dear colleagues Just to let you know that a meeting took place last night with David Blunkett and the CVCP President, Professor Howard Newby, CVCP Chief Executive Diana Warwick and UCEA Chief Executive, Peter Humphreys, on equal opportunities and equal pay. Other issues considered included the Bett Report and the CVCP's Spending Review. The meeting was called by the Secretary of State, emphasising the prominence being placed by the Government on ensuring that universities are taking these issues seriously. Attached below is a copy of a joint press release from the meeting. > MR 158 > Wednesday 26 January 2000 > > Higher education holds crucial talks on equal opportunities > > Universities will set their own targets to promote equal opportunities, > higher education heads and teaching union representatives told David > Blunkett last night. > > CVCP, AUT, and UCEA met the Secretary of State to set out their case for a > partnership approach to this crucial issue in higher education. > > All parties are calling on government for further funding support to aid > higher education in its commitment to address staff issues in universities > and colleges. > > The sector is working with the Higher Education Funding Council to ensure > further action is taken, including > > * New initiatives to enable higher education institutions to dedicate > more time and resources to equal opportunities monitoring > * A partnership approach at institutional level coupled with the need > for institutionally led target setting and transparency of outcomes > > The Secretary of State was made aware of the work of CUCO and the working > parties in the sector and the development by a consortium of institutions > of a job evaluation technique specifically for sector use. > > Professor Howard Newby President of CVCP said: "We welcomed the > opportunity to have this discussion. I am determined on this issue, we > must make a difference in our institutions." > > David Triesman General Secretary of AUT said: "I am pleased by the > commitment of CVCP and UCEA and we pledge to play our role as partners in > carrying these matters forward in the sector." > > For further information: > Gillian Enlund- Tel +44 (0) 171 419 5410 > Email [log in to unmask] > Web www.cvcp.ac.uk %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%