{"id":382323,"date":"2025-08-29T11:36:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T11:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/382323\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T11:36:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T11:36:15","slug":"voluntary-redundancies-continue-at-edinburgh-university-amid-140m-financial-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/382323\/","title":{"rendered":"Voluntary redundancies continue at Edinburgh University amid \u00a3140m financial crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Voluntary redundancies at the University of Edinburgh are continuing as the institution aims to plug a \u00a3140m black hole.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Staff in senior roles are being targeted in the latest round of voluntary redundancies, alongside an \u201cenhanced retirement scheme\u201d at the higher education institution.<\/p>\n

The university said \u00a324m of savings are projected to have been made so far, with 350 members staff taking up a previous voluntary severance scheme, alongside promotion freezes and a restriction on new hires.<\/p>\n

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Edinburgh University\u2019s principal, said the latest move aims to avoid\u00a0compulsory redundancies \u201cwherever possible\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThe higher education sector across the UK is facing serious and urgent financial challenges, placing its stability under threat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Edinburgh, we have been transparent about how we are managing these pressures while strengthening our position as a world-leading, research-intensive university.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe remain firmly committed to open and regular engagement with our community as we take the necessary steps to safeguard the future of our university.\u201d<\/p>\n

The latest announcement comes six months after the troubled university announced it was looking to make cuts amid \u201cserious and urgent financial challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staff fallout<\/p>\n

In June, staff walked out in a dispute over the university\u2019s refusal to rule out \u201cunacceptable\u201d compulsory redundancies amid the financial crisis.<\/p>\n

A further five-day walkout is planned for September to coincide with the university\u2019s \u201cwelcome week\u201d for new students.<\/p>\n

Union members are also set to take part in action short of a strike, including working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues, and a \u201cpossible marking and assessment boycott\u201d.<\/p>\n

The University and College Union (UCU) announced the action following a ballot which saw a 60% turnout, with 84% backing strikes and 93% voting in favour of action short of a strike.<\/p>\n

The union claimed the proposed \u00a3140m of cuts would be the \u201clargest ever\u201d made by a university in Scotland.<\/p>\n

They added management had \u201cfailed to make a case for cuts of this size\u201d while at the same time planning \u201crecord\u201d investment in buildings and infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Professor Mathieson previously appeared before a Holyrood committee, where he defended his six-figure salary.<\/p>\n

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