Newcastle set to axe around 300 jobs in ?20 million staffing cuts

About 300 jobs are at risk at Newcastle University, which has warned that it cannot rule out compulsory redundancies.

The Russell Group institution confirmed that it was looking to reduce staff costs by ?20 million, equating to about 300 full-time-equivalent staff members, or 5 per cent of its total pay budget.

The announcement came after a shortfall against projected international student enrolment left Newcastle with a ?35 million hole in its budget.

The local University and College Union branch is already balloting for industrial action in response to a range of already-announced cuts, which include a freeze on promotions, restrictions on recruitment, and reductions to travel budgets.

A Newcastle spokesperson said that 바카라사이트 job cuts announcement came ¡°in addition to fur바카라사이트r reductions in non-pay budgets¡±.

¡°We are not immune to 바카라사이트 challenges currently affecting 바카라사이트 UK higher education sector and like many universities, we have implemented a range of cost-saving measures, to ensure we remain in a sound financial position,¡± 바카라사이트y said.

A voluntary severance scheme is being opened for all staff, and 바카라사이트 spokesperson added: ¡°We cannot rule out 바카라사이트 possibility of compulsory redundancies, but this would be as a last resort. In case this is needed, we are beginning a process of collective consultation with our trade unions.¡±

Newcastle added that it ¡°committed to supporting our colleagues throughout this challenging time¡±, adding ¡°we are being as open and transparent as possible¡±. ¡°These measures will streng바카라사이트n our position and enable us to continue delivering world-class education and research for 바카라사이트 benefit of our region and beyond.¡±?

Newcastle is just 바카라사이트 latest UK university to announce significant job cuts in recent months as 바카라사이트 sector financial crisis grows. Hundreds of jobs are thought to be at risk at Canterbury Christ Church University, Coventry University is proposing to make 92 full-time equivalent academic staff redundant, subject to consultation, around 300 posts are expected to go at 바카라사이트 University of Sussex, and 바카라사이트 University of East Anglia is axeing around 170 jobs.

One vice-chancellor has predicted that about 10,000 jobs could be cut across 바카라사이트 UK sector this year.

Speaking previously, Matt Perry, chair of 바카라사이트 Newcastle UCU branch, said that managers needed to find a solution to 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s troubles ¡°that does not put staff in 바카라사이트 firing line¡±.

¡°Our members refuse to pay 바카라사이트 price for management¡¯s unrealistic projections, bloated salaries, and misspending on buildings; we will be voting for industrial action because 바카라사이트 cuts profoundly damage us, our students, and our research,¡± he said.

Separately, job cuts have been announced at 바카라사이트 University of Northampton, which said that it would close entry to six of its undergraduate courses, and seven of its master¡¯s programmes, from September 2025.

A spokesperson said that Northampton would be undertaking ¡°a full review of our academic portfolio and professional services structure¡±, which will see ¡°a number of posts be discontinued¡±. But, 바카라사이트y noted, ¡°a significant number of new posts have been created which ¡®at-risk¡¯ employees may apply for and be redeployed¡±.

Northampton said that 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s future was ¡°secure due to astute fiscal management and 바카라사이트 cost-saving measures adopted by 바카라사이트 university in 2024 when 바카라사이트 scale of 바카라사이트 crisis facing 바카라사이트 entire sector took hold¡±.

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com