Edinburgh Napier University to cut up to 70 jobs

The university has launched a consultation with trade unions including EIS and Unison

The principal of Edinburgh Napier University has written to staff to warn them of cost-cutting measures that could see the loss of up to 70 jobs.

Principal and vice chancellor Prof Sue Rigby confirmed the plans in a letter to staff on Wednesday.

The move comes as concern grows across the sector about the sustainability of university funding in Scotland.

Prof Rigby warned that the cost base "continues to outstrip income" and said changes were necessary to create a financial surplus.

It is not yet clear which posts are at risk, or whether teaching roles will be affected.

Prof Rigby said the university remained "financially resilient" but must reduce spending to ensure long-term stability.

The university has launched a consultation with trade unions including the EIS and Unison which is expected to run until mid-October.

A targeted voluntary redundancy scheme is under consideration.

Prof Rigby told staff the aim was to continue delivering "impactful education and employability, a valued student experience, and innovative research," while ensuring the institution was sustainable.

Prof Rigby said Napier must adapt to changing demand for courses and added: "By acting now, we can continue to focus on our priorities."

The announcement follows a recent internal review of services intended to shift the university from deficit to surplus and support future growth.

Unison's Napier University branch secretary Sharon Hall said: "Staff are understandably angry that once again they are paying the price for the university's financial problems. We could be see 70 jobs cut across three campuses.

"Unison stewards will meet managers in the next few days. We are doing everything we can to minimise redundancies and the disruption to students."

Funding challenges

A university spokesperson said: "Like all universities across the country, we are operating in an increasingly challenging and uncertain environment, amid rising costs and acute funding pressures.

"Demand for courses has also shifted significantly in recent years, meaning we need to adapt accordingly.

"While Edinburgh Napier University is in a financially resilient position, with no debt, we have a statutory obligation to run in a sustainable way.

"Despite substantial efforts already undertaken, our current cost base is outstripping our income, and we have no option but to reduce it to return to an operating surplus."

The spokesperson added that Napier was committed to working with unions to "avoid or minimise the need for compulsory redundancies" and said staff would be supported throughout the process.

The move comes as concern grows across the sector about the sustainability of university funding in Scotland. Dundee University is already facing the prospect of hundreds of job losses after reporting a £35m deficit.

UWS strikes

It has also been announced that members of the EIS Union at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have voted in favour of industrial action throughout September and October over job cuts and planned redundancies.

The strike dates are:

• Thursday 11 September

• Tuesday 16 September

• Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 September

• Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October

• Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 October

• Monday 20th and Tuesday 21 October

The university is seeking to make the equivalent of 69.4 full-time academic roles redundant.

It had a deficit of £14.4m in 2023-24 and its governing body has agreed an £8.4m deficit for the current financial year.