The University has a nationally agreed single pay spine which most members of staff are paid on and which covers the majority of HE institutions within the UK. HE institutions applying the "Framework Agreement for the Modernisation of Pay Structures" use the single pay spine to determine pay rates for all staff (other than clinical academics) covered by national agreements in force on 31 July 2003. The values of the pay points in this spine is reviewed, through the agreed national negotiating machinery, with effect from 1 August each year.