Cardiff University cannot rule out compulsory redundancies as almost 200 jobs at ‘risk’

Cardiff University has said it cannot rule out compulsory redundancies as almost 200 members of staff are at “risk.”

This comes after 170 full-time staff members were made redundant since January 2025 due to a cost-cutting drive.

A recruitment freeze has also been put into action in efforts to prevent compulsory redundancies, although 187 staff members have been told their jobs could be at “risk.”

Andy Williams, a UCU Cardiff spokesperson, said it is “shameful” that Cardiff Uni staff members have started the academic term without job security.

The affected staff members are based within foreign languages, history, religion and music courses, which have remained consistent since the initial cuts announced in January.

Cardiff Uni vice-chancellor Wendy Larner via TikTok

UCU Cardiff are holding a consultive ballot in order to determine whether to run a formal ballot for possible industrial action later on during term time.

According to Wales Online, Mr Williams continued the statement by saying: “Management has said that of 187 still in scope they need to get rid of 20 per cent, around 30 people, within five years.”

The UCU Cardiff spokesperson continued to say that the amount of staff being made redundant will not bring “huge savings” to Cardiff Uni.

Alternatively, more savings could be achieved through “re-deployment”, and expressed that UCU Cardiff is “very disappointed that compulsory redundancy has not been ruled out.”

Andy Williams went on to label the proposal of compulsory redundancies as “shameful” and “bad practice” as Cardiff Uni have left “so many staff members at risk for so long.”

UCU Cardiff added: “The feeling is very low across the university, not just in affected schools.

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“Even in schools not affected by redundancy there has been a lot of non-replacement of staff.”

In reflection of the previous compulsory redundancy schemes, the Cardiff UCU branch recognised what the staff have been through “with the re-organisation and job losses,” calling compulsory redundancy a “red line.”

“We have failed to agree on that with management and are in the process of another possible round of industrial action with a consultative ballot”, Mr Williams concluded.

A Cardiff University spokesperson said in response to the redundancy possibilities: “We know that the last year has been extremely challenging for many in our university community.

“Some staff remain in scope as we follow the governance structures and procedures to redesign, cease work or teach out as part of approved changes.”

The university went on to acknowledge the difficulty in this time of “uncertainty”, and expressed how it “aims to provide clarity for staff” as soon as they can.

When exploring alternative routes, other than compulsory redundancies, the university said that it is aiming to “redesign” professional services structures in order “to reflect the outcome of our recent academic changes and our strategic direction.”

Cardiff University also added: “Professional services staff will often have access to a wider range of roles to which they can apply their experience.

“While we can’t rule out compulsory redundancies at this stage, we are hopeful that where there are changes to roles, by using measure such as redeployment, ups killing and training the likelihood of compulsory redundancies will be reduced.”

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Featured image via Instagram @cardiffstudentsagainstcuts