Watch those stats

Natfhe claims that women in their late 20s at City University are paid 16 per cent less than men of that age ("Sexism and ageism blight careers of female academics, says Natfhe", THES, May 26).

The group size is about five men and five women and the difference is attributable to statistical variation rather than anything more sinister. The figure changes rapidly - the gap is now only 6 per cent.

Wendy Clifton-Sprigg

Head of external relations

City University, London