University of Portsmouth's vice-chancellor handed £9,000 pay rise

Latest accounts show Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith, who leads the institution, had his salary increased to £282,000 in August 2018. Any increase made in 2019 will be revealed in the next financial year's statement.

Eight 'key' members of management, including Prof Galbraith, saw their combined basic salary increase from £1.11m to £1.13m.

Prof Galbraith received about £1,000 in taxable benefits in kind, and a £40,000 pension allowance instead of contribution.

His overall pay and benefits hit £323,000, up from £313,000.

His pay is set by the remuneration committee, which he does not sit on. In the report the committee said Prof Galbraith ‘had presided over a sustained improvement in the University’s performance’.

It comes as the annual financial statement revealed 171 members of staff received £225,000 in contractual redundancy payments, while 53 people took a combined £1.111m in voluntary severance payments.

And 21 people made redundant in the restructuring of the Faculty of Science and Health were paid £435,000 between them.

A university spokesman said: ‘The university faces a very competitive market with students more informed as they choose areas of study that match their career aspirations.

‘While some areas in the Faculty of Science and Health have grown in popularity, others have declined, despite sustained efforts to recruit adequate student numbers.

‘As a result, there was an imbalance that needed to be addressed in order that we effectively resource the disciplinary areas that are growing and have potential for future growth that will strengthen the position of the faculty.’

The lowest paid member of staff received £21,000 a year.

As of July 2019 there were 2,666 staff at the institution, which has a £245m turnover. This is down from 2,736 in the previous year.

In the year before there were 207 people who left through contractual other redundancies, costing £4.294m in the year ending July 2018.

A spokesman added: ‘The university bears redundancy costs every year in the normal course of business for staff on fixed term contracts of more than two years' duration, for example staff whose research funding has concluded.’