University to cut jobs as financial pressure mounts

A drop in student numbers has been cited as one of the reasons for the university's financial problems

Leicester's De Montfort University (DMU) is looking to make redundancies after admitting its current spending is greater than its income.

The university has made 94 positions at risk, with 80 roles set to be cut.

Bosses say a fall in student numbers, little movement in tuition fee levels and the increase in employer National Insurance payments mean they needed to cut spending by £22m this year - and £5m is still to be found.

A spokesman for the university told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "Like almost every university in the country, DMU is dealing with unprecedented financial challenges."

'Severe challenges'

"We have acted early and responsibly to ensure DMU remains financially stable, able to continue its vital role as a critical driver of economic growth, productivity and opportunity," the spokesperson added.

"We are one of Leicester's largest employers and contribute hundreds of millions of pounds to the regional economy annually.

"But the immediate challenges the sector faces are severe and fast-growing."

In an effort to save money, the university set up a voluntary severance scheme last year, halted some projects and limited operational spending to "essential items only" but it has not closed the gap.

Vice chancellor Katie Normington told staff in an email that the university was "having to weather the national higher education storm"

Jobs under threat include 63 senior lecturer roles, 17 associate professor jobs, 11 lecturer roles, one research assistant job, one senior research fellow position and one reader, according to documents seen by the LDRS.

University leaders have acknowledged part of the financial gap is due to the cost of setting up new campuses in Dubai and London, but have said the two campuses were needed to reduce reliance on undergraduate tuition fees and diversify income.

In an email to staff, vice chancellor Katie Normington said: "I can only reiterate how sorry I am that we are having to weather the national higher education storm like this and regret the impact it is having."