Moneybags V-C spends over £40k of uni money on expenses

Super-wealthy Vice-Chancellor Sir Eric Thomas claimed over £40,000 in expenses last year, according to shocking report published last week.

The University and College Union (UCU) revealed the figure as part of a national investigation into Vice-Chancellor salary and expenses.

The extraordinary amount – equivalent to nearly five tuition fees – is in addition to Sir Eric’s £321,000 annual salary. He is the 22nd highest-paid Vice-Chancellor in the UK.

The report also revealed that Sir Eric’s personal earnings are well above the average VC salary of £260,290, and that he rakes in 7.3 times more than the average member of staff at Bristol.

No wonder he’s smiling…

A more detailed breakdown of his expenses reveals the VC qualifies for the “Europa League” of hotel expenses, with his £10,307.21 making him the 5th most-expensive traveller on the list.

The high figures are perhaps no surprise given Sir Eric sits on the university’s remuneration committee – the group tasked with determining his pay.

The news comes after a recent freedom of information request revealed the university spent an impressive £20,518.33 on a trip for Mr Thomas and his missus in January.

Read it and weep

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt expressed the dissatisfaction many will feel at this news. She said: “I’m amazed at the size of Vice-Chancellors’ salaries, and at the largesse displayed by some university leaders when it comes to first class flights, hotels and other expenses.

“The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding senior pay and perks is a national scandal.”

Ironically, university leaders – including Sir Eric – recently warned against cutting tuition fees to £6,000, arguing that budgets were under threat.