3 August 2017

getSURREY reports:

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/university-surrey-pays-18-members-13417537

The University of Surrey employs 18 members of staff remunerated to a total of £140,000 or more – but only one of those staff members is female, newly published data has revealed.

Figures revealed through a Freedom of Information request show the university currently pays 55 employees less than the Living Wage, 23 of whom are women.

The stats show the university employs less than five apprentices, the lowest paid on just £7,800 a year

They also reveal the highest paid member of staff is paid some 24 times more than the lowest paid staff member.

A spokesman for the university said: “The university has to compete for talent in a global market for all of its staff.

“Therefore, we have to ensure our remuneration is such that we can recruit and retain talent at all levels.

“We have worked hard in recent years to improve our performance on equality, and around 30% of our senior staff are female, in line with our sector – and we are actively looking to improve the balance still further.

“All of our staff are paid above the minimum wage, and the university makes generous pension contributions of up to 18% of salary, as well as having excellent benefits, such as 40 days paid leave a year, inclusive of public holidays.

“The University of Surrey prides itself on being one of the largest and best employers in the area, and last year our staff survey highlighted staff engagement was at its highest level for seven years.”

The complete answers to the FOI request are here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/freedom_of_information_act_2000_148?nocache=incoming-1012361#incoming-1012361

Anne Milton, Conservative Party candidate for Guildford.

1. This has been an issue of considerable discussion. The argument for including international students in net migration figures is that as they use local services they need to be counted in. However, they return home so are similarly counted out. I think there is much we need to do to change perceptions – international students are a positive contribution for us in Guildford but I know this message does not always come across.

2, 3, 4 and 5. The issues of home-rate tuition fees and visa-free access for EU students will be part of the Brexit negotiations. I know we all want to see EU nationals be able to stay and this is an issue I have raised and will continue to raise. There has been some discussion about alternative sources of funding other than raising tuition fees – Surrey is a good example of a University raising money through other sources.

6. I would hope to see the continuation of Erasmus+ and other EU research funding. On this, Jo Johnson, UK Minister of State for Universities and Science, stated: “The referendum result does not affect students studying in the EU, beneficiaries of Erasmus+ or those considering applying in 2017. The UK’s future access to the Erasmus+ programme will be determined as a part of wider discussions with the EU.”

7. All EU law will be passes over so employment rights will continue. We will be free to increase protections if we wish.

Howard Smith, Labour Party candidate for Guildford.

Sorry, I have received this late, but many of your statements here are Labour policy and/or in our election manifesto.

So, in broad terms I am fully supportive of your aims, much of which is common sense and to be applauded .

While the Labour Party helped trigger A50 in parliament we are determined that any deal with the EU going forward should be on the very best terms including ensuring that the UK remains a welcoming place for overseas students.

The University of Surrey is a great asset to Guildford, one that should be treasured and if elected I would do everything possible to support your continuing success as much as I can.

1. The Liberal Democrats are committed to removing students from the official migration statistics. The guaranteed continuation of home-rate tuition fees and visa-free access for EU students as part of a reciprocal agreement.
   I’m afraid that I’m not aware of Liberal Democrat policy on this issue and have contacted party HQ about but haven’t yet heard back. As I wanted to ensure that you received this in time for the 2^nd I decided to write without this information.
2. The guaranteed right to stay for EU staff and students who currently reside or study in the UK, with freedom of movement unrestricted for those who come to work or study from the EU.
   In our manifesto the Liberal Democrats have committed to pressing for the UK to unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU nationals in the UK, ending their ongoing uncertainty. We will call for the overhaul and simplification of the registration process and the requirements for EU nationals to obtain permanent residence and UK citizenship, as the current system is not fit for purpose. We will urge the government, and use our influence with Liberal leaders in European countries, to secure the same rights for UK citizens living in European Union countries.
3. Extending the franchise to EU nationals residing in Britain to vote in National Elections.
   I’m afraid that I’m not aware of Liberal Democrat policy on this issue and have contacted party HQ about but haven’t yet heard back.
4. The securing of alternative sources of university funding other than raised tuition fees.
   The EU is undeniably beneficial for our universities. It has directly invested in British universities, funding projects such as Swansea University’s new Innovation Centre. Under Framework Programme 7 (which ran from 2007 to 2013) the UK won around €8.8 billion in research grants, while paying in €5.4 billion. Through the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme the UK is set to receive £2 billion in the first two years. If the government, pull us out of the EU and the European Research Area (ERA) we will not be eligible for any future Horizon 2020 funding. Research and development, academic sharing and the exchange of ideas is essential for the future prosperity of the UK. I don’t have any specific funding sources in mind the issue of funding streams is key and as MP I will work with Liberal Democrat colleagues to identify other options.
5. The continued support of Erasmus+ and other EU research funding.
   Over the next seven years Erasmus+ was set to allocate almost €1 billion to the UK and involve 250,000 participants. A hard Brexit, which would include the UK leaving the European Economic Area (EEA), would mean an end to our participation. It is senseless for us to withdraw from such a fantastic programme that has helped so many British people to develop, broaden their horizons and gain new experiences. The Liberal Democrats will do everything we can to protect Erasmus+ and other EU-funded schemes which increase opportunities for young people.
6. The continued protection of the employment rights currently provided by EU law.
   As a party we are committed to defending social rights and equalities. Many important protections such as the right to 52 weeks’ maternity leave and rights to annual leave are currently based on EU law, and any of these rights have been upheld at the European Court of Justice. We will fight to ensure that these entitlements are not undermined.

Semi Essessi, Independent Candidate  standing in Guildford:

I take most seriously your suggestions, especially since they broadly echo the local sentiment on these issues.

To directly address your points.

1.     The removal of international students from official net migration figures.

I agree with this sentiment, although I would also be willing to support anything that helps to improve clarity here.

2. The guaranteed continuation of home-rate tuition fees and visa-free access for EU students as part of a reciprocal agreement.

I am happy to support this, however, it must be balanced against the desires of the EU itself. Any solution here would require EU cooperation – it might be out of our hands.

3. The guaranteed right to stay for EU staff and students who currently reside or study in the UK, with freedom of movement unrestricted for those who come to work or study from the EU.

I will extend my existing policy on this to cover students – the same arguments apply as for workers. There is very strong local support for this.

4. Extending the franchise to EU nationals residing in Britain to vote in National Elections.

I strongly support this idea already, although I have failed to find time to mention it. There is something inherently wrong when people who live in a place have no say in how it is run. We already do this for council elections. The same arguments apply to parliament as they do to local council.

5. The securing of alternative sources of university funding other than raised tuition fees.

I strongly believe that the only practical way to get rid of tuition fees, without jeopardising existing funding, is to address the budget deficit with a more modern, incremental approach. It is an optimisation problem and we have a huge mathematical toolbox for tackling such problems, which parliament and its advisers seem to be quite unaware of given their ideological and simplistic stances on this.

6. The continued support of Erasmus+ and other EU research funding.

I find this difficult to support, and unlikely to come to fruition without motivation on the other side. It would very clearly be in our best interest – but its clearly not in the interest of the EU itself.

I am very willing to be convinced if there is a stronger case to be made for how this will benefit the EU, and I see no reason to oppose it.

7. The continued protection of the employment rights currently provided by EU law.

I would sincerely hope in the wake of Brexit that our parliament would do this anyway, with some hope that they might go even further and strengthen the rights of UK workers even further.

Bear in mind that my positions is always open to change. I refuse to commit to policy absolutely up-front when we never know how the situation or prevailing opinion will be at the time it needs to be acted upon.