Education Minister Leighton Andrews has told Plaid AM Leanne Wood that a review of higher education governance will examine high pay in Welsh universities.
Leanne Wood told the Minister that research carried out by her office had exposed a growing band of elite workers within Welsh universities that were receiving huge salaries.
The South Wales Central AM said: “You will be aware that courses are being slashed and tuition fees are higher than ever and predicted to rise yet more. I find it astonishing that 272 university workers in Wales are taking home six figure sums.
“Will you agree to undertake a review of pay within the higher education sector in Wales to ensure that remuneration is proportionate before students and lower paid workers are made to bear the brunt of any austerity measures?”
Education Minister Leighton Andrews said that higher education institutions were autonomous and he did not have the ability to influence the salaries they paid to senior managers.
“However, I share your concern that they are not set at such a level that encourages an inflationary wage spiral with competitor institutions. For this reason the whole issue of salary structures within higher education will be taken forward in the review of higher education governance.”
Figures obtained by Leanne Wood’s office recently revealed that the Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, Dr David Grant, earned £275,000 a year, including pension contributions, in 2009.
In contrast, Prime Minister David Cameron is entitled to around £197,000 a year, but takes £142,500. The First Minister’s total pay is £134,723, which includes the salary of an Assembly Member.
