A six per cent pay claim was being made this week at the start of negotiations over college salaries. It includes a minimum rise of pound;1,500 for all staff.

The claim is being made by the University and College Union, the Association for College Management, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the GMB and Unison. The Association of Colleges is representing employers in the talks.

The next deal is due to come into effect from August, although national pay agreements are not binding on individual colleges.

Sue Dutton, acting chief executive of the AoC, said: “This claim is part of the normal negotiations process. While it is too early to comment on specific figures, this does look like rather an ambitious claim, given the current funding climate.

“Colleges value the hard work of both teaching and support staff, but pay awards must always take the wider funding environment into account.”