Union calls for clarity on university job cuts

A union has called on a university for clarity after staff were told a voluntary redundancy scheme was being launched but not what savings were needed.

Staff at The University of Liverpool said the institution was not being transparent about future plans.

President of the University and College Union (UCU) Mark O'Brien said: "They won't give us a figure, we have pressed them on that."

The University of Liverpool said the scheme was "one of a number of measures to help secure the long-term financial sustainability" of the institution, adding there were "no plans for compulsory redundancies at this time".

"The UK higher education sector is facing well publicised financial challenges and, like many other UK universities, we are currently forecasting a small financial deficit this year," a university representative said.

"This scheme is one of a number of measures to help secure the long-term financial sustainability of the university.

"It is entirely voluntary and there are no plans for compulsory redundancies at this time."

They added: "We do not have any specific targets for overall savings as a result of this scheme but we anticipate it will make a positive contribution to savings.

"Details of the scheme have been shared with our campus trades unions and constructive points were made, which have been taken into account."

Mr O'Brien of the UCU said: "When this has happened in the past they give us an amount they are trying to save from the total budget," he said.

"They haven't done that on this occasion and we find it hard to understand why they aren't more forthcoming about their plans."

A report published by The Office for Students (OfS) in November revealed many universities were currently facing financial issues.

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