'UK salaries are a joke': Warwick professor says Indian government university pays more, sparks backlash

Anant Sudarshan’s comments attracted racist backlash online, with several users on X criticising him for attempting to hire foreigners instead of UK citizens.

A UK-based professor has criticised the country’s salary structure, particularly for contractual academic staff, citing concerns that low wages are driving talent away. Anant Sudarshan, an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick’s Department of Economics, highlighted the issue in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that UK salaries in academia have become so uncompetitive that he has lost potential hires to universities in India.

Sudarshan noted that while the UK is often regarded as a higher-income country, some institutions in India, traditionally perceived as offering lower wages, are now offering salaries that surpass those in Britain for certain roles. He explained that he was unable to hire candidates eligible for the UK’s High Potential Individual (HPI) visa because a government university in India offered them higher absolute salaries.

“UK salaries are becoming an absolute joke, especially for contractual staff. I have failed to hire people eligible for the UK’s special high potential individual visa because a government university in India is willing to pay them slightly more in absolute terms than here,” Sudarshan wrote.

UK salaries are becoming an absolute joke especially for contractual staff. I have failed to hire people eligible for the UKs special high potential individual visa because a *government* university in *India* is willing to pay them slightly more *in absolute terms* than here.

Anant Sudarshan (@anantsudarshan) December 16, 2024

Sudarshan clarified that, on average, UK salaries remain higher than those in India in absolute terms, but noted that the disparity is narrowing for highly skilled positions. He pointed out the relevance of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), which adjusts salaries based on the cost of living.

In his response to a query, he explained that while UGC pay scales in India are lower, individual project staff on short-term contracts in India could earn more than their UK counterparts in absolute monetary terms. He added that some UK contract teachers earn approximately £30,000 annually, which, when adjusted for PPP, equates to about Rs 7.5 lakh per year.

Sudarshan’s comments attracted racist backlash online, with several users on X criticising him for attempting to hire foreigners instead of UK citizens. Some users suggested he “go back” to his home country, reflecting growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK and parts of Europe.

“Maybe you should all go back!” one comment read, while another stated, “Whatever it takes. Go back.” Others suggested he focus on hiring UK citizens. In response to such criticism, Sudarshan defended his stance, saying, “The point isn’t whether someone is a citizen or not. The point is whoever is hired is paid too little – citizens don’t get more!”

Meanwhile, the professor’s post sparked discussions about the UK’s ability to attract and retain top talent in academia amid rising living costs and stagnant wages.