The tripartite group held a productive first meeting. Each body (UCU, UUK and USS) expressed their commitment to a collective dialogue. There was an agreement to reach a better understanding and to have a full discussion on the recommendations of the JEP2 report, recognising substantial alignment of interests.

There was a willingness to discuss all of the issues and recommendations. There was a recognition that some of the recommendations fall more naturally to one or to some parties than to all. But there was also a recognition that some of them will require a genuinely collective discussion.

It was agreed that the next meeting would consider a Scheme Purpose Statement and the Shared Valuation Principles.

Joanne Segars
Chair, Joint Expert Panel