The University of West England's tax-free pay (TFP) scheme is no more a tax "dodge" than is deducting professional body subscriptions as an allowable expense in a tax return. It is a straightforward and perfectly legitimate attempt to restrict Government savings from UWE to Pounds 4 million rather than Pounds 5 million this year, in a way which protects jobs and increases take-home pay.
The story also failed to say that the university's agreement protects all staff in categories represented by Natfhe from compulsory redundancy, whether or not they take part in the TFP scheme. The same agreement is on offer to Unison, who are still considering it. The only threats in this scenario are those posed by the Government spending cuts.
Rob Cuthbert Assistant vice chancellor University of the West of England