Oxford head Richardson hits out over salary claims

The head of Oxford University has accused politicians of damaging UK universities by making “spurious” links between tuition fees and high vice-chancellors’ salaries.

Professor Louise Richardson, who was formerly St Andrews University principal, said it is dishonest to suggest that university bosses have used £9,000 tuition fees to boost their own pay packets.

Her comments come amid growing concerns over inflation-busting pay rises for vice-chancellors and ongoing debate about university tuition fees and whether students receive value for money.

Speaking at the Times Higher Education’s World Academic Summit in London, Ms Richardson said: “I think it’s completely mendacious by politicians to suggest that vice-chancellors have used the £9,000 fee to enhance their own salaries.

“We know that the £9,000 fees were a substitute for the withdrawal of government funding.

“My own salary is £350,000. That’s a very high salary compared to our academics who I think are, junior academics especially, very lowly paid. Compared to a footballer, it looks very different, compared to a banker it looks very different.

“But actually, we operate, as I keep saying, in a global marketplace.”

Prof Richardson said she was angered by politicians “making spurious correlations between fees and salaries”.

In a speech in July, universities minister Jo Johnson warned: “I am still hearing students say that their course is poor quality.

“This is not good enough, especially when some vicechancellors take home a wage that in some cases exceeds that of the Prime Minister.”

Former Labour education minister Lord Adonis argued last month that university bosses should halve their salaries to help lower tuition fees.

University heads received an average pay package, including benefits, of £277,834 in 2015-16, according to recent analysis by the University and College Union.

Professor Louise Richardson.