University plans second search for staff cuts

UON received 97 applications for its first offer of a voluntary severance deal

A university facing a £19m budget deficit is planning a second search for staff willing to leave their jobs.

The University of Northampton (UON) received 97 applications when it offered its first "voluntary severance" scheme in July.

It blamed the move on several factors, including frozen tuition fees and rising energy costs.

It said it would continue to support staff through the process and ensure minimum disruption to students.

UON said the voluntary severance package was offered to "secure its future in difficult times"

When UON invited staff to consider leaving in June, it said a drop in international student numbers was partly to blame.

It followed a new rule stopping most international students from bringing family members to the UK.

The university said it was also impacted by an increase in its contributions to staff pensions of 5%, and needed to plan for the first capital repayments of the loan for its new Waterside Campus.

It announced it would consult with trade unions and employee representatives about opening a second round of the voluntary severance scheme next month.

UON has acknowledged that taking the option to leave would not be an easy decision for staff

A UON spokesperson said: "Economic, market, and policy factors, such as frozen tuition fees, rising operational and energy costs, and recruitment issues across the sector, have threatened higher education’s financial stability in 2024 and beyond.

“UON must do what it can to secure its future in these difficult times and that is why these proposals have been put forward.

"The decision to begin this process of consultation has not been reached lightly, and we appreciate that it is not an easy choice for those colleagues who may opt to take the enhanced voluntary severance package we will offer."

UON said the financial terms offered under the scheme would be better than those that would apply if compulsory redundancies became necessary.

The unions represented at the university have been contacted for comment.