UCU on 'devastating' plans to axe 400 more jobs at London Metropolitan University

The union was responding to plans from the university get rid of 224 clerical jobs, in areas like student support, 159 professional roles, which are mainly academic positions, and 12 managerial posts.

The latest round of cuts comes on top of 93 jobs losses that were announced earlier this year. The union said the plans to slash staff and concentrate on investing in campus facilities flew in the face of the university's mission to widen access to education.

UCU added that it would continue to make the case for an alternative approach during the forthcoming consultation and fight for the staff and students at London Metropolitan University.

The cuts would mean that around a third of jobs would go at the university due to the nature of part-time contracts many staff are on, which is a considerably higher proportion than estimates from the university.

UCU regional official, Barry Jones, said: 'This further devastating blow to the already ravaged London Met is based upon a strategic decision to focus on shrinkage and investment in campus facilities at the expense of teaching and support staff.