The University of Plymouth and Newcastle University are both pushing ahead with redundancy plans, as the English sector’s financial crisis shows little sign of abating.?
Plymouth has?confirmed plans which could see up to 200 roles at risk of redundancy, after it said it had seen a 10 per cent decline in its income.
The university?said that the number of roles at risk is “subject to change as we consult with colleagues and trade unions”, and it is “doing everything we can to make savings and avoid compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of our student experience, which is our number one priority”.
A?spokesperson continued: “Along with the rest of the UK’s higher education sector, the University of Plymouth is operating in a very financially challenging environment. Thanks to careful financial management and planning, Plymouth is well placed to weather the storm, but we’ve seen increases to costs that are outside of our control combined with a 10 per cent drop in income, so we must act now to cut budgets.”
The news follows a “sobering” report from the Office for Students?which found that 43 per cent of English universities are facing a financial deficit this year, after their performance lagged behind initial forecasts.
Meanwhile in the north-east, Newcastle University said it is pressing ahead with 38 redundancies, despite having achieved three-quarters of its savings target through its voluntary scheme.
The provider had announced earlier this year that it was looking to cut 300 roles as it looked to save ?20 million from its staff cuts.
But the University and College Union (UCU) branch, which has been on strike over the previously announced cuts, said that the university had achieved ?15.8 million of savings already, with the remaining sum constituting just over half a per cent of the university’s annual income.
A Newcastle University spokesperson said it was seeking to “safeguard our long-term future” and while it has “achieved the majority of the savings needed” through its voluntary severance scheme and other savings, it still has a shortfall of ?3.8 million.
“Regrettably, this means we must now move forward with the next phase, which will affect around 38 roles, and we are making every effort to achieve this through voluntary redundancy with an offer of an enhanced package. Our proposals for further savings will preserve the breadth of our research and education, avoiding subject closures, and we are consulting with our trade unions to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible,” they said.
Matt Perry, branch chair of Newcastle University UCU, said the cuts will “damage” the university’s reputation, and said the university’s executive board “have refused to take responsibility for their failed strategy”.?
He added: “This is the same story as many, many universities; the damage to a world-leading sector of the UK economy will be difficult to repair.”?
David Bates, secretary of Newcastle University UCU, added: “This news will come as a devastating blow to our hard-working members. Already we have spoken to staff who are in tears about potentially losing their job. We will not give up the fight: an injury to one is an injury to all.”
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