Edinburgh University principal Sir Peter Mathieson handed £20,000 pay rise

The Evening News’ sister paper The Scotsman reported that Sir Peter told staff in the summer that the university would be "reducing our spending in all areas" because of severe financial pressures, but at the same time he was being awarded a 5 per cent salary increase.

Edinburgh University principal Professor Peter Mathieson has been awarded a £20,000 pay rise. Picture: Neil Hanna.

Sir Peter was already the highest-paid vice-chancellor in Scotland, with basic pay in 2023 of £348,000, and a total package worth £418,000.

The Scotsman calculated that a 5 per cent increase on his basic pay would mean an extra £17,400, while his pension supplement would also increase, taking the total uplift to around £20,000.

Edinburgh University said 5 per cent was the same increase that was awarded to all staff last year. The 5 per cent increase follows a 3 per cent rise in the previous year, although Sir Peter refused any extra pay in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

But Sophia Woodman, president of the University and College Union branch at Edinburgh, said most staff would be horrified at Sir Peter’s pay rise.

She said: "Does Mathieson have to deal with the cost-of-living crisis when he has a salary over £400,000, a free house, free utilities?

"I think it is just really out of proportion to think that he requires the same pay rise as people who have had their salaries declining in real terms for more than 15 years.

"And I think people will be particularly horrified at this moment, given that the university imposed a 2.5 per cent across the board budget cut on all aspects of the university this summer, when people had already made their plans for the academic year - it is creating real difficulties for many of my colleagues, increasing already chronic levels of overwork.

“There is kind of a disconnect here over what is good for him and what staff at this institution are being subjected to."

An Edinburgh University spokesperson said: "Salary increases for the university's senior leadership team are awarded in arrears, and are discussed and approved in the January remuneration committee following the year in which the rest of our staff receive their increase.

"In this case, the five per cent relates to the 2022/23 academic year and is the same five per cent UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers' Association) pay increase that was awarded to all staff and paid in two instalments in 2023, with the final increase in August 2023."