Job fears at Bangor University

ANOTHER Welsh university has announced it is conducting a spending review, which a union fears could lead to redundancies.

Bangor University said it has been carrying out a “wide-ranging review” to look at “which current resources can be deployed differently”, but would not comment on what that might mean for jobs.

Bangor is the fourth Welsh university to reveal it is reviewing spending.

Aberystwyth, South Wales and the University of Wales Trinity St David are all seeking voluntary redundancies to cut costs as the higher education sector grapples with the effects of falling applications and Brexit.

An official for Unison, which represents a number of staff at Bangor University, said: “The situation at Bangor not as advanced as [at some] other Welsh universities.

“Bangor hasn’t made any announcement about job cuts. All we have been told is the university is in a very difficult financial position and that the situation is likely to get worse over next two years as a result of falling student numbers and grants.

“We have been told redundancies are likely. We are obviously concerned about the threat and want to protect front-line jobs. Protecting quality education and student support is key.”

The university said in a statement: “For some months Bangor University has been carrying out a wideranging review of its activities to ensure it can respond to the changes that will arise over the coming years.

“The review will create scope for future investment in new and existing academic programmes, as well as improved facilities that will ensure Bangor continues to provide its students with a high-quality education.

“Over coming weeks and months we will seek to identify ways in which resources can be deployed differently to enable Bangor University to respond to new opportunities to meet student needs within higher education, while ensuring we achieve the highest levels of efficiency across our operations.”

Last week it emerged that Aberystwyth University has written to all staff seeking voluntary redundancies.

It is understood that up to 150 jobs are at risk as the university aims to save £11m over the next two years.