University staff to strike over course closures

The UCU said strike action could take place as early as the end of April

Staff at a Kent university have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over course closures.

The University of Kent confirmed in March it would "phase out" six subjects and proposed to cut 58 jobs in an attempt to respond to "financial challenges".

A total of 85% of University and College Union (UCU) members who voted said yes to strike action in a ballot with a turnout of 57%.

A University of Kent statement said they "regret" the UCU strike decision and they remain "fully committed to doing all we can in our discussions with them to find a way forward".

The ballot result comes as the university's vice-chancellor Karen Cox announced she will step down in May.

In a statement on Thursday, Professor Cox said "the sector faces well-known challenges".

Courses set to go at the university include art history, music and audio technology, philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, health and social care, and journalism.

A petition to save the courses has now reached over 16,000 signatures, the UCU said.

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: "These cuts amount to a bonfire of undergraduate courses.

"They will have devastating consequences on the university and its local community and must now be halted immediately."

A University of Kent spokesperson said: "We will be doing all we can to ensure any staff reduction can be realised through voluntary means.

"If strike action is confirmed, we have plans in place to ensure that any potential impact on our students is minimised as far as possible.

"As always, their education and academic progression will remain our priority throughout."

The UCU said strike action could come as early as the end of April.

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