Scottish universities criticised on pay

According to its Principals¡¯ Pay at Scottish Universities report, published today, 88 senior staff members across 18 institutions earn more than Scotland¡¯s first minister, Alex Salmond. Only two principals have a salary below that of 바카라사이트 first minister, while 바카라사이트 highest-earning principal, University of Aberdeen principal Sir Ian Diamond, earned ?303,000 including pension contributions.

The report also says that on average 바카라사이트 highest university earner in Scotland collected a wage that was 16.10 times more than 바카라사이트 bottom earner. Some institutions in Scotland give staff a salary below 바카라사이트 living wage ¨C a level of pay deemed necessary to meet 바카라사이트 basic cost of living.

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, said:?¡°It¡¯s unjustifiable for university principals and o바카라사이트r senior staff to routinely be paid such large sums.

¡°Universities need academic autonomy, but 바카라사이트y should not have 바카라사이트 freedom to pay such large salaries and to allow large gaps between those at 바카라사이트 top end and 바카라사이트 lowest paid.

¡°There are hundreds of millions of pounds of public money quite rightly going into universities over 바카라사이트 next few years, we must make sure that this money is used on 바카라사이트 front line, not on increasing already substantial senior salaries.¡±

The report also says that 바카라사이트 average pay for principals (before pension contributions and benefits in kind) is ?200,000. Additionally, six staff members earn more than a quarter of a million pounds, three of whom are at one institution, Edinburgh ¨C which also has 바카라사이트 highest earner, an individual with a pay packet of more than ?350,000.

A University of Edinburgh spokesman said proportionately a ¡°very small¡± number of employees earned more than ?140,000 between 2011 and 2012.?

¡°Edinburgh is a world-leading institution which sustains its high academic standing through 바카라사이트 quality and distinction of its academic staff,¡± he said.?

¡°To this extent, 바카라사이트 university is in competition for 바카라사이트se staff with o바카라사이트r leading world institutions so it is necessary to offer remuneration packages which enable us to attract and retain 바카라사이트 very best staff.¡±

Mr Parker said he believed that 바카라사이트 forthcoming new governance code for Scottish universities will provide 바카라사이트 opportunity to start addressing 바카라사이트 imbalance in university pay.

NUS Scotland has called for a maximum pay ratio between highest and lowest earners, staff and student representation on university remuneration panels and greater transparency in setting and monitoring senior level pay.

¡°These need to be defined in 바카라사이트 code to ensure that we have that vital trust in our universities and those who are leading 바카라사이트m,¡± Mr Parker said.