They tied pay and budgets to performance, even for scientists in the ivory tower.

FORBES: Wired and restless

Ultimately, says Mr. Hallock, compensation is an inexact science, determined by labor-market conditions, company budgets and individual employees' performance and turnover risk.

WSJ: Workers Share Their Salary Secrets

Further education minister John Hayes pledged to "set FE free" by allowing colleges to move money between budgets, removing Ofsted inspections from colleges with outstanding performance ratings and boosting building projects.

BBC: Skilled economy debate