Plans for job cuts at University of Bedfordshire

A university has proposed cuts to more than 200 jobs due to "financial challenges".

The University of Bedfordshire, which has its main campuses in Bedford and Luton, said planned changes were due to "frozen tuition fees, rising costs, and declining international student numbers".

Earlier this week, staff were told that 240 existing roles will be lost and those at risk of redundancy could apply for one of 160 newly created jobs.

Union UNISON said the cuts "will have a real impact" on students. The University and College Union (UCU) said its members were "shell-shocked at the number of jobs" at risk.

The university has about 20,000 students from more than 100 countries.

It explained a redundancy scheme has been opened to all staff, not just those at risk, to reduce the chance of compulsory redundancies.

A spokesperson said: "Despite cost-saving measures such as a voluntary severance scheme, pausing recruitment to vacant posts, and reducing non-pay expenditure to save millions, further steps are needed for long-term stability.

"We are consulting with staff on a proposed restructuring to secure our future success while minimising job losses.

"This decision was not made lightly, and we are committed to supporting staff throughout the process.

"These changes will not affect students, as they focus on the management and organisation of our faculties and professional services."

The unions said the most at-risk staff would be those working in administrative and technical roles.

UNISON eastern regional organiser Teisha Leigh said: "These staff do essential jobs at the university, ensuring courses run smoothly, supporting student welfare, managing technology and so much more.

"The cuts will have a real impact on the time students spend at the University of Bedfordshire."

Alex Eastwood, regional officer at UCU, called on the vice chancellor to "stop trying to use staff as the shock absorbers for management's financial failings".

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