University confirms formal redundancy consultation

The UCU said it is planning to hold a national demonstration in Leicester on 12 November

The University of Leicester has confirmed it has entered "formal consultation with our colleagues" on potential redundancies.

In a statement the institution said it would not comment further until after meetings had taken place next week.

The University and College Union (UCU) said its members were planning 10 days of strike action beginning from the week of 10 November, adding they "are determined to fight these plans".

It comes weeks after new analysis showed thousands of jobs have been lost in universities in the last year.

'Losing livelihoods'

The UCU said the university's plans "place around 150 jobs at risk in the initial phase" and could lead to the closure of courses and departments.

It said all academic staff in the film studies and modern languages departments have been placed at risk, with "large numbers of staff" in chemistry, geography, geology & the environment (GGE) and history specialisms "uncertain if they will retain their jobs".

A national demonstration in Leicester is also being planned for 12 November.

Dr Caren Frosch, UCU co-chair, called for the university's senior management "to come back to the negotiating table to discuss alternative ways of raising income".

"These plans are a disaster for students, for the university and for the affected staff, many of whom now risk losing their livelihoods and being forced out of their chosen profession," she said.

"By smashing up some of the most successful areas of research and teaching at the university, by limiting choices to future students, and by creating more holes in our professional services, senior management are making the situation worse."