University lecturers are to receive salary increases as a result of the government's review of higher education to be unveiled next month.

At Labour's National Policy Forum on December 1, the prime minister said university lecturers were "probably the worst-paid workers in the public sector".

Forum Response: The Standing Conference of Principals

Patricia Ambrose, executive secretary of SCOP, told ePolitix.com: "The current and future success of higher education is critically dependent on the sector attracting and keeping high quality staff across a wide range of areas.

"Further funding to boost existing salary levels would be welcome. In particular, SCOP would welcome recognition of the need to provide competitive salaries in areas such as teacher training and the health professions where universities and colleges are seeking to attract experienced professionals."

Forum Response: Universities UK

A spokesman for Universities UK told ePolitix.com: "Additional funding for human resources was one of the six key areas that we identified in our spending review submission last year.

"We have made a strong case for increased investment and look to the government to deliver extra funding in this - and other - areas when it announces the outcome of its review of higher education in January."