Bruce Liddington, director general of the E-Act academy chain, who is now resigning, earns #163;280,000 (“Best-paid man in schools bows out of academy chain”, 24 February). Ten members of the board are on more than #163;100,000. With additional costs, this board will cost #163;3 to #163;4 million per year, yet it runs only 16 schools. Birmingham has 285 schools. If it spent the same amount as E-Act, it would spend between #163;57 and #163;85 million each year on administration alone. What a gravy train this government has created for the fleet of foot.

Eric Smith, Liverpool.