MMU and University of Bolton face job losses

Job losses threaten to hit universities across Manchester as Government funding dwindles.

Manchester Metropolitan University could potentially lose 127 support staff as they struggle to cope with financial pressures. Martyn Moss, the University and College Union (UCU) Regional Officer for the Northwest, said: “From the UCU point-of-view, we are deeply concerned at how it might affect the quality of teaching, learning and the student experience.”

Meanwhile the University of Bolton could potentially lose 10 per cent of its teaching staff.

Professor Peter Marsh, the University’s Vice-Chancellor said: “To ensure that the University of Bolton remains financially strong, [the University will] increase alternative sources of income and reduce costs by efficiency savings.

“The University’s management is working hard with our Unions to minimise the impact of potential cuts by looking at voluntary job losses wherever possible, and we have already saved almost £1m a year as a consequence of our actions.”

Plans for 150 compulsory redundancies at the University of Salford were abandoned last July after proof the university had filled the £7.5 million hole in its budget.

Other universities are also being forced to address funding issues. The University of Birmingham is considering closing down its Sociology department entirely, whilst the University of Bristol may be forced to cut 250 jobs by 2012.

Original article in Student Direct: Mancunion