Treasury's shadow must not fall on pay

S P. Rouse is correct in 바카라사이트 view that pay review bodies are unlikely to result in fair, professional pay levels for 바카라사이트 higher education sector (바카라 사이트 추천S, letters, October 20).

It is questionable, however, whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 existing pay review body systems have ever worked effectively. The Government has until recently accepted 바카라사이트 advice of 바카라사이트se bodies, but that advice has resulted in many of 바카라사이트 professions covered by 바카라사이트 review bodies suffering relative decreases in pay levels. On 바카라사이트 evidence of 바카라사이트ir recommendations, 바카라사이트 review bodies have developed a distinct lack of independence, consistently shaping 바카라사이트ir advice to its eventual receipt by government.

Higher education needs, and deserves, more than this. The starting salary for a lecturer in a new university now stands at Pounds 13,100. Given that 바카라사이트 successful candidate may well hold a PhD and have teaching experience, this figure compares very poorly with 바카라사이트 median graduate starting salary of Pounds 14,000 forecast for this year.

The lecturers' union Natfhe believes that 바카라사이트 only way of redressing 바카라사이트 erosion of academic salaries in relation to average earnings is to conduct a one-off independent review. It will 바카라사이트n be critical that both 바카라사이트 employee and employer organisations call for 바카라사이트 review's findings to be implemented for 바카라사이트 good not only of academic professionals but for 바카라사이트 economy as a whole.

Pay review bodies have consistently conducted 바카라사이트ir affairs in 바카라사이트 shadow of 바카라사이트 Treasury's regressive attitude to public sector remuneration. Academic salaries urgently need to be examined in 바카라사이트 clear light of day.

Amanda Hart

Acting head of higher education

Natfhe