THE University and College Union (UCU) has welcomed Labour’s pledge to crack down on “exorbitant” vice-chancellor pay, as the party prepares to expose institutions that award lavish salaries while failing students.

A Whitehall source told The Times that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson plans to publish league tables highlighting vice-chancellor pay at universities where significant numbers of graduates do not progress to good jobs or further education.

She is concerned that some universities have become “ivory towers,” disconnected from accountability, where senior executives benefit from soaring salaries despite providing poor value for students.