A college principal leading attacks on teachers’ conditions has awarded himself the largest pay rise of all colleges in London, academics’ union UCU announced today.

Lambeth College boss Mark Silverman is currently pushing through cuts in sick and holiday pay for his staff.

But according to research published by UCU, he has had a 13 per cent increase in salary in the last year.

“It’s a disgrace,” said Lambeth College UCU branch chairman David Esterson.

College staff have been on a pay freeze for the last four years, while Mr Silverman’s current salary stands at the whopping £149.000 a year.

The UCU chairman pointed out that under Mr Silverman’s management 20 people have been threatened with losing their jobs and many will see a reduction in their hourly rate of pay.

“After this latest embarrassing revelation, the time has surely come for principal Mark Silverman to at last agree to real dialogue with the staff and their unions,” argued UCU regional official Una O’Brien.

Stanmore and Tower Hamlets colleges have also given their principals pay rises but both salaries are still far below Mr Silverman’s.

Ms O’Brien added: “The message this sends to students and staff at Lambeth is that while others must tighten their belts, those at the top will carry on regardless.”

Colleges in Kingston and Carshalton were among those to have actually lowered their managers’ pay.

Many have opted for pay freezes or increases of less than 1 per cent.