STAFF at the University of Cambridge walked out today in a dispute over pay. 

Around 450 members of Unite, including library, engineering department and estate management staff, will take action until Friday after rejecting a below-inflation pay rise of between 5 and 6 per cent.

Members, some of whom are said to earn less than £23,000 a year, are demanding better pay to cope with the cost of living in what Unite says is one of the most expensive parts of Britain. 

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Cambridge University has been enforcing below-inflation pay rises for too long and our members have had enough.

“It might be a prestigious university, but that doesn’t put food on the table or pay the bills of essential workers doing vital roles.”

A University of Cambridge spokesman said: “We are committed to open and constructive dialogue with Unite and have commissioned a pay review which is being progressed as a matter of urgency.”