A government audit of higher education has found that UK universities are at least £1 billion in the red on cash needed to keep buildings and equipment in working order.

Forum Response: Association of University Teachers

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "The academic community is angry about the way it has been treated by successive governments and fed up with promises of money tomorrow when cash is urgently required today.

"Academics and lecturers are struggling to meet competing demands to accept more students and deliver higher standards on less money. There is no logic in expanding the number of students in higher education if university staff do not have the resources to support and develop them.

"Universities are reaching breaking point and I hope politicians from all-sides will listen carefully to our pleas for added investment and support for university staff."

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com "Universities UK welcomes the latest findings of the transparency review as further evidence that additional investment in higher education is now vital.

"The first findings of the review formed part of the wide base of evidence used in Universities UK's submission to the Government's Spending Review 2002, which highlights the need for £9.94bn additional investment in the sector.

"What is of concern to all universities is ensuring that our students, whatever their background, have a high quality experience. That requires university teaching to be informed by research, provided by high quality and motivated staff, in buildings fit for the purpose, and using modern equipment."