A former University of Leicester (UoL) Students’ Union (SU) Officer has told Ripple that they have “no clue how current officers could possibly cope” on the current SU officers’ wages.
The former officer, who has chosen to remain anonymous, added: “Officers’ roles are high stress, high responsibility and high accountability.”
“These are levels of responsibility you would not normally have in an organisation until you are in senior positions on much higher wages.”
The SU’s full-time executive officers earn £13.90 per hour, which equates to £24,945 a year on a 34.5-hour work week. The National Minimum Wage is currently £12.21 per hour (due to increase to £12.71 in April), which means that, per hour, SU officers earn £1.69 above the minimum wage.
The former officer said they spent all their savings during their SU employment, adding that the current officers’ salary is unlikely to cover their “rent, utility bills, council tax and general costs of living.”
The UoL graduate went on to say that the low pay prevents “those from disadvantaged backgrounds” from applying for the roles, as “you must have good savings or financial support to be able to survive on a wage that low.”
“Those from working-class or minority backgrounds are now effectively being told they are not welcome as student representatives, which is antithetical to the Student Union’s goal of supporting those from minority backgrounds and students in financial crisis.”
Aimee Thomas-Lane, 21, who was was elected as 2026/27 president this year, told Ripple that while she “definitely considered this” before nominating herself, she “has been able to live on a lot less money in the past.”
The SU president-elect added: “I have applied not for the money, but for the change I would be able to make in the union.
“The pay itself is something that would help me focus my time and effort on the role without needing a second job.”
We reached out to the SU and raised the former officers’ concerns with them. In response, a spokesperson said, “External benchmarking consistently places SU officer pay between the average and upper ranges among comparable Midlands students’ unions, particularly when considered alongside the shorter contracted working week.
“In addition to salary, officers receive eligibility for the pension scheme, 34 days’ paid annual leave, extensive professional development and governance experience.
“As a charity, the Students’ Union must balance fair pay with responsible stewardship of student resources. Whilst we aim to provide meaningful and well-rewarded employment, pay decisions must be considered alongside the services, activities and support we provide to students. This approach is consistent with practice across the students’ union and wider charity sector.”