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I happened to be speaking to a Professor (at a Russell group university) earlier this week. He told me that, contrary to what one might believe from the BBC and certain parts of the press, the vast majority of university lecturers are not member of the Union (only around 15% at his university) and the others did not go on strike. University life proceeded much as normal, with lectures taking place, course work set and marked, and preparations made for the year end exams.

It seems it might be difficult for students to show they have been affected by the strike unless, of course, they declined to cross picket lines, or stayed away in support of the striking lecturers (but in those circumstances their actions will be the cause of non-attendance at lectures).

The real shame is that if legal action goes ahead the Universities will either have to spend substantial sums defending the claim, or give in and settle on commercial grounds, thus encouraging further unmeritorious claims. Either way it is us, the taxpayers, who will end up bearing the cost of defending, or responding to the claim. The likelihood of the claimants being ordered to pay the costs, or of doing so if awarded, seems not far short of zero.