This University’s Not For U-Turning

The University of Exeter denies refusing to increase staff wages.


Exeter University has outlined its proposals to trade unions amid claims it will U-turn on Living Wage pledge.

The University has denied rumours of U-turning on its promise to pay the Living Wage to all members of staff – even those in its lowest pay grade.

A spokesman for the University said: “Staff in Grade A, the first grade on the University’s grading structure, will from 1st January 2014 be paid at the new Living Wage rate of £7.65 per hour.”

“The University has always made clear its intention to introduce the Living Wage in three phases.

“After its immediate application to staff in Grade A in January 2014, we are looking to apply the Living Wage to casual workers from the commencement of the 2014/15 University Year.”

Changes to the Grade A band are set to benefit 300 employees by giving those on the first point of scale a pay increase of 7.6%, with the third phase set to increase pay for those working at the University employed by third parties.