HUNDREDS of university staff in the North-East were paid six-figure salaries in 2013-14, a study has shown.

The TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) has published the results of a survey of salaries in public sector education.

Of the North-East universities, Newcastle University had the most staff on £100,000+ salaries in 2013-14, with 156 – 64 of those were paid more than £150,000 and 17 in excess of £200,000.

Durham University paid 67 staff a salary upwards of £100,000, but had just one employee on more than twice that amount.

York University paid 88 staff at least £100,000, six a minimum of £150,000 and none in the £200,000 bracket.

Of the region's other universities, Northumbria paid 18 staff at least £100,000 and three at least £150,000.

Sunderland and Teesside each had six staff earning at least £100,000, one in the £150,000 bracket and, in common with Northumbria, one on at least £200,000.

The university with the greatest number of employees receiving remuneration of more than £100,000 was Oxford with 622.

The study found a total of 7,754 employees were paid more than £100,000 during the study period.

Named the Public Sector Rich List, the study also scrutinised schools paying staff six-figure salaries.

Among the North-East schools and colleges paying six-figure salaries to senior staff were Bishop Auckland College, Carmel College in Darlington and Hartlepool Sixth Form College, which each had one member of staff on at least £100,000 in 2013-14.

Gateshead College had five staff on at least £100,000 and three were paid a minimum of £150,000, while New College Durham had a total of four employees in the six-figure bracket.

The TPA is calling on public sector salaries to be linked to performance.

Chief executive Jonathan Isaby said: “Taxpayers will not begrudge an inspiring headteacher or world-class academic a good salary if they produce great results and motivate their students, but too often this is not what we find.

“Where institutions fail but financial rewards continue to flow to those at the top regardless, there is clearly a serious problem and taxpayers have every right to be concerned.

"The pay and perks enjoyed by those working at our schools and universities – and indeed across the entire public sector – must more accurately reflect how well they are doing their jobs.”

A Newcastle University spokeswoman said academia is a highly competitive sector and it is 'essential' the organisation is able to 'attract and retain the high-calibre people who will help the University continue to flourish'.

A Durham University spokesman said: "Durham is a world top 100 university. In order to maintain our position, we recognise the need to attract, retain and reward the very best staff."