The nation’s universities were severely disrupted on Tuesday when staff staged a 24-hour strike in protest at a pay offer of 1.5 per cent. At least 190 institutions closed down and staff held more than 80 rallies around the country. David Triesman, general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, said members felt “real anger” at a below-inflation wage settlement for the sixth year running. His union is also boycotting quality assessment and appraisal and is considering exam sanctions and stopping the UCAS admissions system if negotiations fail to progress.