University lectures were disrupted today as lecturers held a one-day strike over pay and pensions.

The University and College Union, which has 470 members and claims to represent about half of the lecturing staff, held demonstrations at four campuses.

Kingston University ULU membership secretary Andy Higginbottom said: “We are very pleased with the coverage at the different parts of the university.

“I think we have had a big impact on the teaching. There’s been a big slowdown at Kingston University today.”

Kingston University Student Union president TJ Esubiyi said he supported today’s action, but would be concerned if it became a long term dispute affecting student’s work.

He said: “The lecturer union supported us when we went on our massive demonstration, and to coin a phrase we are all in this together.

“Cuts to universities affect students and lecturers so we do support it, as long as students are not adversely affected.”