Statement from the Master concerning the UUK/USS Pensions dispute

There has been speculation concerning the USS survey of employers dated 1 September 2017. Given the timing of the survey and the due date of reply, it was not considered possible for Downing or any member thereof to submit a response.  The Fellowship hopes for increased transparency in the College’s relations with UUK over pensions.

The Fellows of Downing wish to express their concern about the effects of the pension reform and the associated industrial action on the health and well-being of the student and academic communities in Cambridge and the UK. The weakening of pension support for members of USS, on the basis of a valuation of questioned validity, is unhelpful to the recruitment and retention of high-quality academic staff.

Professor Geoffrey Grimmett, Master of Downing College

Published 14 March 2018.