University jobs are at risk, unions told

BANGOR University has told unions that redundancies are likely as it aims to make cuts over the next two years in a “wide-ranging review of its activities”.

The news comes just days after Aberystwyth University wrote to all its members of staff with a request for voluntary redundancies.

It is understood up to 150 jobs are at risk at Aberystwyth as it aims to save £11m over the next two years. The University blamed competition for students, a drop in numbers of 18-year-olds and the effect of Brexit.

Unison Cymru/Wales sources said it had been told by Bangor University redundancies were likely and that the union was “concerned.”

The university had told the union it was “currently in a very difficult financial position” and warned the situation would get worse over the next two years with a downturn in applications and grants.

Bangor University issued a statement saying: “For some months Bangor University has been carrying out a wide-ranging review of its activities to ensure it can respond to the changes 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.

“We will seek to identify ways in which current resources can be deployed differently to enable Bangor University to respond to the emergence of new opportunities to meet student needs within higher education, while at the same time ensuring that we achieve the highest levels of efficiency across our operations.”

In a statement, Aberystwyth University said: “Like other UK universities, we are facing changes and challenges including increasingly intense competition for students, a demographic decrease in the current pool of 18-year-olds, and rising costs.

“Universities also face uncertainties caused by Britain’s decision to leave the EU, as well as tighter visa regulations for international students.”