Vice-chancellors not worth the money

With the universities minister, in typical Johnson fashion, U-turning his view that vice-chancellors` pay is not government business, there is now a demand for "institutions to justify any salary over £150,000", with a fine the punishment for failure (Vice-chancellors are urged to rein in their salaries, 07/09/17). Most voters would welcome such a requirement for all jobs, especially as the average income is only around £28,000, with real wages for most declining.

    The trouble is universities will be able to cobble together some feeble excuses for the excessive pay with vague comments like "brings in students from abroad", and "attracts new research". The government should insist on what the vice-chancellors achieve on their own, separate from other staff, away from team work, and distinct from the collegiate approach.

 Like school headteachers, vice chancellors` success is only achieved because of the work of staff as a whole.