Note that optically that’s also the gentle presentation of the numbers … a 10% reduction requires an 1/(1-0.1) = 1.111 => 11.1% pay increase to restore. For a 22.1% reduction that’s a 1/(1-0.221) = 1.284 => 28.4% pay increase to restore.

And here we are! Literally every spine point is paying less in real terms than it was back in 2008. Spine point 5 (now replaced by the real living wage) is down by about 3.4%. By spine point 10, we're down over 10%. By spine point 23, over 20%, ultimately reaching a 22.1% reduction. 3/3

First though, methodology. We took the spine point salary values from 2008-2025, and adjusted those from before this year with this inflation calculator. Which is a bit rough and ready, admittedly (in particular, it doesn't take cost of living into account), but it captures the broad trend. 2/3

And lastly, it's *also* not fair on students whose English skills are at the level necessary for full engagement. Peer learning inevitably suffers. Group activities become more difficult. Time spent on trying to help students with their language is time *not* spent on other elements of the course.

It's soul-destroying watching students get more and more frustrated and disillusioned with a module, because you simply can't find a way to express the concepts you need to get across in language they find accessible.

It's so horribly unfair to these students, who travel half the world to study on courses they learn too late simply don't cater for them. It's also unfair to those teaching on those courses, who desperately *want* to cater to those students, but have no resources or training to meaningfully do so.

We've been hearing for a couple of years now about how the "Chinese market" (such an awful term for young people looking for the best way to secure their futures) is on the wane. Can't help wondering if part of that is just word getting out that the UK will take your money and leave you to sink.