University of North London talks

* Managers and unions at the University of North London held seven hours of talks this week, with more planned, as an academic boycott of the university over new contracts began to bite.

External examiners have been refusing to work for the university and at least one conference has been cancelled as a result of the boycott, called to oppose contracts outside the national agreement.

But lecturers' union Natfhe has been forced to place an advertisement apologising for promoting the boycott while talks were still taking place. The university has meanwhile agreed not to issue any more new contracts until the issue is resolved.

Further talks will take place on Wednesday.