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I’m pleased to announce we will implement a new sector-wide pay deal, which will mean our colleagues will benefit from an uplift in their salaries within weeks.

The pay increase, which will also apply to employees at around 144 universities across the UK, will range from 5% to 7%.

Normally, pay increases only come into effect in August when the new financial year begins, but this deal will ensure our colleagues will not have to wait until later in the year for any pay rise given the cost-of-living pressures people are facing.

We’re paying part of the increase six months early, with one rise coming into effect in February (and reflected in March’s salary payments) and a second being implemented in August.

The offer rightly prioritises colleagues at the lower end of the pay spine, but all other members of staff will receive a minimum of 5% overall.

The table below highlights the changes to the current spinal points as part of this year’s national pay award.

The first part of the award is effective from 1 February 2023 and will see spinal points 9 to 41 increase by £1,000 and spinal points 42 and above by 2%.

The second part of the award will see spinal points increased again as of 1 August 2023 to give everyone the total increase outlined in the table above.

The salary uplift is in addition to other financial commitments we have made to help our colleagues, including:

• ¹û¶³´«Ã½ is proud to be a Real Living Wage employer. Unlike the Living Wage – which is a legal requirement – the Real Living Wage is voluntary and paid by organisations which believe their staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs.

• In January, around 3,900 staff members received a cost-of-living payment of up to £550.

And later this year, around 4,000 colleagues will receive a pay increment as they move up a spinal point within their salary range.

You can find more information on our annual national pay award webpage.

It is disappointing that no agreement could be found after many months of negotiations between Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and trade unions. The University and College Union (UCU) announced another day of industrial action during the talks this week, which signalled no further progress on pay was going to be made. I do recognise the very real challenges the cost-of-living crisis has had on colleagues and the student community, which is why UCEA entered into early negotiations for the 23/24 pay round.

We will continue to keep you updated over the coming weeks on any further developments.

Best wishes,

Professor Stuart Croft

Vice-Chancellor and President

March 2023