The Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the Association of University Teachers have agreed to pool resources to meet the demands of the government's new policies on lifelong learning. The government's plans include breaking down the barriers between sectors in education and training by putting post-16 education under the control of the new Learning and Skills Councils.

This may go some way towards reducing the gap between the prime minister's vision of universities as drivers of the knowledge-based economy and current practice in higher education, as published in a report on 7 March by the Association of University Teachers.

The research reveals problems within higher education which need to be addressed if universities and colleges are to take up full partnership with business in the knowledge-based economy.