This year’s national pay negotiations, deciding wages for the academic year 2026-27, have now concluded. With current inflation measured by CPIH currently at 3.6%, and RPI at 3.9%, we would need an increase of around 4% or more just to keep outpace price rises. However, employers are imposing a 2% uplift, which represents yet another cut to the value of your pay.
While we recognise the financial strains facing many universities, staff have unjustifiably borne the brunt of this for many years. As we have said repeatedly, the sector desperately needs a proper funding solution that doesn’t simply rely on increasing fees, or a dwindling international market. Higher Education needs to be recognised and funded as the public good that it is. We should not lose sight of the fact that many European countries still do not charge their students tuition fees.
Listen to Pod Save the UK’s interview with French economist Thomas Piketty for an explanation of how wealth distribution can be achieved to fund public services – just as it did in the 20th century. The same episode also features a fascinating interview with trans historian Susan Stryker on the history of trans inclusion and exclusion, and why existing systems of power feel so threatened by trans identities, which we’d also strongly recommend.