Academics step up pay action

ACADEMICS THREATENED to bring "chaos" to the annual scramble for university places yesterday as they escalated their industrial action over pay.

The Association of University Teachers called on members to boycott admissions on the two days after the publication of A-level results. The two days after the Scottish Higher results will also be hit by the boycott.

The action - on 9, 10, 19 and 20 August - threatens severe disruption on the busiest days for university applications.

The AUT action will only affect the "old" universities. The National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, which represents staff in the former polytechnics, voted against the boycott.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service said the action would not harm students' prospects. But the AUT said it would cause chaos for more than 100,000 students who rely on the clearing system to find them a university place.