THE principal of Glasgow School of Art got a pay rise of more than 14%, while the head of Glasgow University received 8.5%.

Lecturers' leaders slated the massive increases, which followed a 3.5% deal for academic staff.

Figures show principals received an average salary of £162,000 in 2006/07, a rise of 5.2% on the previous year.

The biggest percentage increases were at Edinburgh College of Art, where principal Ian Howard's salary jumped 15.5% to £112,000, and Glasgow School of Art, where principal Seona Reid saw her salary rise to £101,000.

At Glasgow University, Sir Muir Russell's salary rose to £205,000, while at Strathclyde University Professor Andrew Hamnett's salary increased 7.6% to £182,000.

Although universities are run as independent charities, at least half of their money comes from the taxpayer.

Terry Brotherstone, president of the lecturers' union UCU Scotland, said: "There is a growing feeling universities are being run as businesses in which senior managers are paid inflated salaries to get as much as possible out of junior employees for as little reward as possible."

Glasgow University has shed 230 staff in the last year.