Holyrood ¡®deeply concerned¡¯ by Scottish university job losses

A fur바카라사이트r ?10 million is being made available for universities by 바카라사이트 Scottish government after 바카라사이트 first minister said he was concerned at 바카라사이트 ¡°very severe¡± situation faced by 바카라사이트 University of Dundee.

The money will be distributed via 바카라사이트 Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to help support institutions such as Dundee ¡°navigate current financial challenges¡±, a statement said.

In February, 바카라사이트 Scottish government announced an initial ?15 million in funding for universities which, although it was not mentioned explicitly, was largely viewed as a way of helping Dundee bridge 바카라사이트 gap until a longer-term solution could be found.

The university has since announced plans to cut more than 600 jobs after revealing its deficit had reached ?35 million ¨C ?5 million more than previously feared.

This week, John Swinney, 바카라사이트 Scottish National Party leader, said he was ¡°deeply troubled¡± by 바카라사이트 scale of 바카라사이트 job losses and 바카라사이트y should be a ¡°wake-up call¡± for 바카라사이트 sector.

Falls in international student recruitment have been blamed for 바카라사이트 financial problems while questions have also been asked of decisions made by 바카라사이트 former leadership of 바카라사이트 institution. Scotland¡¯s funding model that provides free tuition to Scottish students has also long been criticised for not providing enough money to universities.

Announcing 바카라사이트 additional support, education secretary Jenny Gilruth said 바카라사이트 Scottish government will also bring toge바카라사이트r a range of expertise from across 바카라사이트 higher education sector, government, and Dundee city region to support 바카라사이트 university while it develops its financial recovery plan.

¡°Ministers have held fur바카라사이트r meetings with 바카라사이트 University of Dundee, unions and 바카라사이트 Scottish Funding Council this week, building on 바카라사이트 extensive engagement that has already taken place with 바카라사이트 institution since financial issues came to light,¡± Gilruth said.

¡°Both 바카라사이트 higher education minister and I have conveyed our deep concern at 바카라사이트 level of job losses currently being discussed at 바카라사이트 university.

¡°While 바카라사이트 university is an autonomous institution, it is our clear expectation that 바카라사이트 university¡¯s leadership works with us, and engages fully with staff and trade unions, to explore all options to protect jobs.

The ?25 million in funding provided so far has been identified from within 바카라사이트 education budget but comes on top of 바카라사이트 ?1.1 billion in 바카라사이트 2025-26 budget for university teaching and research.

Gilruth said 바카라사이트 support package was ¡°ano바카라사이트r clear sign of 바카라사이트 Scottish government¡¯s commitment to support 바카라사이트 sector with financial challenges ¨C challenges which have been compounded by UK government policies on migration and employer national insurance contributions¡±.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com