Newcastle University sees a surge in high earners as it faces £30m cuts, raising concerns among staff and unions about job security.
Newcastle: The number of staff at Newcastle University making over £100,000 has shot up almost threefold since 2016. This comes as the university is dealing with £30 million in budget cuts.
The University and College Union (UCU) shared the figures on X, showing a big jump in six-figure salaries from 2016 to 2023. Meanwhile, the university is cutting its salary budget by £20 million, which means about 300 jobs could be at risk.
They’ve even brought back a voluntary redundancy scheme for all employees, but they haven’t ruled out mandatory layoffs. The UCU is also gearing up for a vote on industrial action, with results expected in February.
Looking at the numbers, the increase is pretty stark. For instance, the count of staff earning over £100,000 went from 60 to 143 in just a few years. The Vice-Chancellor’s pay also went up, from £387,800 to £404,300.
The UCU pointed out that they’ve been tracking these salaries and see a clear trend. In response, a university spokesperson said they disclose this info annually and that the rise in high earners is due to various factors, including NHS pay increases and inflation.
Last September, it was reported that Newcastle University was facing a £35 million funding shortfall, mainly because fewer international students were enrolling. This has led to some tough measures, creating tension between the university and the UCU.
