In the concern about 5% pay rises for university principals, as compared with a 3.5% rise for lecturers, some thought might also be given to the many other categories of staff without whom universities could not function (Rein in profligate principals, April 4).

In my own case, for example, as a computing officer at the University of Edinburgh, the recent "pay modernisation" scheme means a reclassification from "academic-related" to "support" and an impending pay cut of 15%. All this for doing exactly the same job as before, in an expanding department to whose work I have always felt very committed.

While I am sure that motivation is now high throughout the upper echelons of the university, I must admit that getting up early for my own morning bus does feel increasingly difficult.

It is also sad that such internal unhappiness should be created when the real obscenity are the massive incomes, rises, share options, pensions and pay-offs (often with minimal tax) in certain sections of the private sector - unchecked by the government. The payout to the chief executive of Northern Rock is just the latest example to beggar belief.

In comparison, even our university principals and our supposedly overpaid politicians seem models of moderation.

Dave du Feu, Edinburgh Road, Linlithgow.