More redundancies planned at Edinburgh University

The University of Edinburgh is set to make further redundancies as it continues to battle financial challenges at the institution.

A voluntary redundancy scheme aimed at senior staff – as well as an “enhanced” retirement scheme – has been opened as part of the latest measures to tackle its funding gap.

Around 350 staff have already taken voluntary redundancy under a previous scheme, which the university said would save about £24m.

But in February, principal Sir Peter Mathieson had told staff around £140m needed to be cut from spending to balance the books.

It is hoped enough staff will come forward to avoid compulsory redundancies, but such a move has not been ruled out.

Mathieson – who in June was grilled by the parliament’s education committee over his almost £420,000 pay package – said universities across the UK were facing “serious and urgent financial challenges”.

He added: “At Edinburgh, we have been transparent about how we are managing these pressures while strengthening our position as a world-leading, research-intensive university. As part of this, we have today announced a Voluntary Redundancy scheme for staff in senior grades, alongside an enhanced Retirement scheme, which will support efforts to remain financially sustainable and avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.

“This builds on our earlier cost-saving measures – including recruitment restraint, a pause on promotions, and a previous Voluntary Severance scheme – which have resulted in projected staff cost savings of £24m.

“We remain firmly committed to open and regular engagement with our community as we take the necessary steps to safeguard the future of our university.”

Members of the University and College Union voted for strike action earlier this year, walking out on 20 June and are now preparing for a further five days at the start of the academic year.