University research in the United Kingdom can be regarded as among the best in the world, according to a major assessment published on Friday.

The research assessment exercise (RAE), which is carried out every five years and decides the allocation of £1 billion of funding for the UK's universities, reveals that an increasing number of university departments have achieved the highest grades.

The assessment found that 64 per cent of research submitted was of national or international level of excellence, compared to 43 per cent five years ago. And 55 per cent of all research staff are now working in departments which have been assessed as carrying out research of international excellence.

Forum Response: Association of University Teachers

Sally Hunt, assistant general secretary of the Association of University Teachers told ePolitix.com: "The results show the continued dedication and achievement of universitystaff. The government, however, cannot expect ongoing improvements in quality without providing more resources. We are calling on HEFCE to join with AUT and other unions in lobbying the government for an end to the research gridlock and a better funding settlement."

"Despite the overall improvement in the results we still have serious concerns about the impact of the exercise on the morale and workload of members. In particular, the RAE remains a divisive and bureaucratic drain on university staff. It is time for the RAE in its current form to be put out of its misery."

Forum Response: NATFHE

Paul Mackney, general secretary of NATFHE, told ePolitix.com: 'We are delighted at these results which represent a remarkable achievement for the new universities, HE colleges and their staff. It is even more laudable considering the woefully small amounts of research funding available to our institutions. It would be quite wrong for HEFCE to continue to concentrate research funds among an elite few. New universities need and deserve their fair 15 per cent share of the funding now to build on their successes."

'Research funding is seriously squeezed. In light of the excellent results of this RAE, the government must increase their investment in a broad range of large and small-scale research, as well as rewards for teaching excellence. We want to see more academics now given their well-earned and fair opportunity to engage in research. Funds that are spread more widely and fairly can only be of greater benefit to a wider range of students and the UK economy.'

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com: "The increase in the amount of high quality research demonstrates that the UK's universities are delivering even better research than five years ago. And high quality has been achieved across a wide range of institutions - 61 institutions have one or more five-star rated units and 96 have at least one rated five."

"I want to congratulate university staff on their success, and university leaders on their excellent strategic management of this research."

Professor Roderick Floud, President of Universities UK, also told ePolitix.com: "Competitiveness through a knowledge-driven economy is a key government target. These results show that our universities are contributing at world-class level and we urge the government to provide the resources to recognise and build on this success.

"Additionally, while we recognise the need for selective allocation of research funding, Universities UK believes there is already sufficient selectivity in UK research funding. We need to find ways of rewarding the best, without also penalising those who have worked hard to deliver improved results. We recognise this poses funding problems and we urge the government to find the resources to reward this excellent achievement by universities."