350 jobs axed: Edinburgh University says it’s ‘not possible’ to rule out further cuts

The University of Edinburgh has told all staff that layoffs may still be required, despite savings of around £18 million from the voluntary severance of around 350 staff members.

In addition, all academic promotions and contribution rewards have been paused until the university reaches “a more stable financial position” and a “considerable constraint around new and replacement staff” will be implemented.

The announcement comes as the university grapples with a financial crisis that requires savings of around £140 million per year.

Staff are currently being ballotted on strike action with the University and College Union (UCU), with the vote running until 20 May.

In the letter sent by Sir Peter Mathieson, the university’s principal and vice chancellor, he said: “Around 350 staff have been accepted for voluntary severance.

“Even though this may seem like a relatively small number within our large university population, this will likely result in year on year cost savings of around £18 million – an important part of our drive to save costs.”

He continues: “We have also agreed to pause academic promotions until we reach a more stable financial position. This means that there will be no application process opening in the academic year 2025-26.

“I realise that this will disappoint our academic colleagues, but this is needed to further contribute to our overall cost-saving measures. We will use this intervening period to make improvements to future academic promotions processes based on the feedback we received through the review held last year.”

The university’s Court will determine the need for compulsory redundancies in a summer meeting, with Sir Peter saying: “I and others have previously stated that it is not possible at this stage to rule out compulsory redundancies.

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“The subsequent level of staff savings that will still need to be made is being assessed, and budget holders have been working to identify proposed savings as part of the Planning Round decision-making process.

“This work is informing the development of an overall budget and five year plan, for presentation to Court in the summer.”

The UK’s higher education sector is facing significant fiscal issues due in part to a downturn in international student enrolment.

Speaking in Holyrood, universities minister Graeme Dey said the Scottish government will “engage closely” with the struggling institutions to offer support where appropriate.

He said: “In line with our fair work principles, I expect universities to engage meaningfully with staff on the potential impact of their plans.

“My clear expectation is that universities work with staff to make every effort to protect jobs and avoid compulsory redundancies, which should always be considered as a last resort after all other cost saving measures have been fully explored.”

The UCU has repeatedly called for the university to utilise its assets, worth an estimated £3 billion, to fund the gap and protect staff jobs.

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary previously said the university should “use the billions of pounds the university boasts in wealth to protect jobs”, suggesting that the university should sell some of its assets, worth an estimated £3.1 billion, to fund the gap rather than cutting spending.”

Featured image via The University of Edinburgh