Your support is needed

Bangor University: job cuts

Bangor University aims to cut about 200 jobs to make savings of £15m, its vice-chancellor told staff in an email in late February 2025.

University of Bedfordshire: job cuts

University of Bedfordshire plans to sack scores of staff will make life worse for students, UCU and UNISON warn.

University leaders told workers in March 2025 that they could lose their jobs as bosses looked to deal with a predicted £5m deficit next year. That deficit--caused mainly by a drop in the number of international students--follows substantial surpluses over the last five years totalling more than £60m, which have helped swell reserves to more than £200m.

Nearly 240 existing posts will go under the plans, but the university expects to create around 160 new jobs which staff made redundant can apply for.

Birmingham City University: restructure and redundancy plans

UCU members at Birmingham City University (BCU) have announced an official dispute over the university's plans to make staff redundant as part of a wide-ranging 'restructure'.

The union has condemned the plans to sack 36 staff in academic leadership roles across the institution by the end of July and called on the employer to work with them to look at an alternative plan and rule out compulsory redundancies or face the prospect of industrial action.

Update, 3 March 2025: The UCU branch at Birmingham City University has declared a dispute over the university's plans to put 36 posts at risk of redundancy and impose new performance targets that members believe are designed to set them up to fail. The vice-chancellor has said that anyone who does not buy into his vision can quit with a 'golden handshake' of six months' pay. Staff have until the end of March 2025 to apply for the voluntary severance deal or risk losing their job following more punitive performance management processes. The branch has called on the University to withdraw the threats or face possible industrial action.

Update, 14 March 2025: The UCU branch at Birmingham City University is balloting for industrial action. The ballot will close on Tuesday 15 April 2025.

Update, 25 April 2025: Last week, Birmingham City University (BCU) members voted to take strike action in a dispute over job cuts and performance targets. On a turnout of 57%, 68% of UCU members backed strike action and 88% backed action short of a strike (ASOS).

Update, 2 May 2025: Birmingham City University UCU members were on strike on Thursday 1 May in a dispute over job cuts and performance targets.

University of Bradford: job cuts

In March 2025, University of Bradford staff have overwhelmingly backed strike action in a consultative ballot over plans to axe at least 300 jobs in a programme of cuts that will see chemistry and film and television courses shut down.

An overwhelming 69% of staff who voted in the consultative ballot backed strike action, with the turnout surpassing the 50% anti-trade union threshold. If the result is repeated in a statutory ballot then the university faces the possibility of strikes on campus.

The dispute is over the huge cuts programme university management is attempting to force through. At an all-staff meeting last month, vice-chancellor Shirley Condon stated that 200 jobs would go as part of £13m worth of cuts. However, at the same meeting, the chief financial officer said the university wants to reduce the staffing to an equivalent level as in 2019. This equates to around 300 full-time equivalent jobs, but well over 300 staff once those in part-time roles are included.

Update, 25 April 2025: A strike ballot opened on Wednesday 16 April at University of Bradford over plans to axe at least 300 jobs that will see chemistry and film and television courses shut down.

Bournemouth University: job cuts

About 200 jobs could be cut at Bournemouth University. Staff were told the cuts could affect academic faculties and professional services, and that its four faculties could be cut to three.

From Tuesday 6 May, members at Bournemouth University will be balloted for strike action over a proposed restructure and redundancy dismissals which will put 150-200 staff at risk. The branch is seeking a commitment of no compulsory redundancies, or a sizeable reduction in job cuts from the employer.

Brunel University London: 'significant academic resizing programme'

Brunel UCU members are fighting plans to make 135 academics redundant. Please see Brunel UCU branch's website for the latest updates.

Update, 24 January 2025: a ballot has opened at Brunel in response to the university's failure to commit to no compulsory redundancies. UCU has received notification of 135 academic redundancies at the university plus 79 technical and professional staff and there is possibility of further redundancies. The ballot closes on 12 February and members are urged to vote early.

Update, 12 February 2025: Staff at Brunel University have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in defence of jobs announced the University and College Union (UCU) today, with 75% of staff who voted in the ballot voting in favour of strike action, on a turnout of 61%.

Update, 21 February 2025: Brunel University of London will begin strike action from Friday 28 February; click here for the full strike schedule. The dispute at Brunel arose over management's original plans to make 135 academic staff redundant. Last week Brunel UCU members voted for strike action on a turnout of 61%.

Update, 14 April 2025: UCU gas declared an academic boycott of Brunel University London in response to the institution's continued pursuit of mass redundancies. Brunel University has already overseen significant numbers of voluntary redundancies and is now pressing ahead with plans to impose further compulsory job cuts. UCU believes that the future of entire academic departments are under threat. The union has condemned the university's refusal to engage meaningfully with staff representatives and warned that these actions could cause irreparable damage to Brunel's reputation.

The union's higher education committee (HEC) has unanimously backed the boycott, also known as 'greylisting', which is the most serious sanction the union can impose. The boycott will begin on Tuesday 15 April 2025, unless the university withdraws the threat of compulsory redundancies, provides transparent financial information, enters collective conciliation talks through Acas, and reinstates those already involuntarily dismissed.

From 15 April, UCU will ask members, supporters, and the international academic community to observe the boycott by:

• not applying for jobs at Brunel
• not attending or organising academic or other conferences at the university
• not giving talks or lectures at Brunel
• not accepting visiting appointments at Brunel
• not contributing to academic journals edited at or produced by the university
• not taking on roles as external examiners for Brunel's taught courses.

Canterbury Christ Church University: job cuts

The UCU branch at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) has declared a trade dispute following the university's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. They have announced 400 FTE job cuts by the end of this academic year, to save £20 million.

The branch voted to enter dispute after the vice-chancellor announced a voluntary redundancy scheme just before Christmas 2024, but with no forward plans finalised and before any restructure, staff were told to discuss it with their families over the festive break.

The branch is running a campaign including raising awareness with students, lobbying local and national politicians, and a vote of no confidence in CCCU management and the board of governors, and ultimately may lead to strike action.

Update, 1 April 2025: Staff and students at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) have overwhelmingly delivered a vote of no confidence in the university's vice chancellor, senior management team (SMT), and board of governors.

The vote, organised by the CCCU branch of UCU, was passed by 359 (96%) votes to 16 (4%) following growing anger over the institution's handling of current financial and strategic decisions.

Cardiff University: job cuts

At the end of January 2025, Cardiff University has announced plans to cut 400 staff and drop subjects including nursing and music; UCU members will be balloted for industrial action imminently.

UCU members at Cardiff University will be balloted for industrial action from February to March 2025; click here to read Cardiff University UCU branch's press release.

Update, 21 February 2025: UCU members at Cardiff University will be balloted for industrial action over job cuts from Monday 24 February.

Update, 25 March 2025: Cardiff University UCU members have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a fight against huge job cuts. A massive 83% backed strike action, while 86% backed action short of a strike (ASOS) up to and including an assessment boycott, in a ballot with over 64% turnout. Cardiff UCU members will decide on the next steps.

Update, 25 April 2025: Cardiff University UCU have given notice of a marking and assessment boycott (MAB) that will start on 6 May, with a number of strike days (1 May; 6 May; 9 June; 23-27 June) that target exam boards and other key dates.

Update, 2 May 2025: Previously, Cardiff University UCU gave notice of a marking and assessment boycott (MAB) that would begin on 6 May, with a number of strike days that would target exam boards and other key dates. The planned industrial action has now been called off after a pledge from Cardiff University management that there will be no compulsory redundancies in 2025.

Cardiff Metropolitan University: job cuts

Cardiff Metropolitan University has said in April 2025 that it expects to make between 30 and 50 staff redundant, as it tries to cut costs. It is the latest Welsh institution to move to compulsory job losses to address financial pressures facing the sector.

Coventry University: job cuts

Coventry University has threatened more than 300 staff with the sack. Those who remain will be forced to work through a subsidiary company on behalf of the university, and any new starters would be unable to access the industry-standard Teachers' Pension Scheme.

From correspondence it has received from university management, UCU estimates over 100 staff could lose their jobs and more than 200 could be contracted over to Peoples Futures Limited (PFL), a company owned by the university. Coventry University UCU members would be meeting in December 2024 to decide how to fight the punitive proposals and that they would likely begin balloting for strike action.

Update, 6 February 2025: UCU has launched a petition calling for the immediate removal of Coventry University vice-chancellor John Latham from the Department for Business and Trade board; we urge all UCU members to support this petition.

Update, 14 March 2025: Coventry University staff and students will hold an alternative open day in protest against the fire and rehire cost cutting exercise that vice-chancellor John Latham has embarked upon.

The alternative open day will be held in the Yard in Coventry (CV1 5RU) from 10:00 to 13:30 on Saturday 15 March. Speakers include Zarah Sultana MP, UCU general secretary Jo Grady, UCU president Maxine Looby, Coventry poet laureate John Bernard, university students and staff, local artists and activists, as well as live music and a party atmosphere.

Even if you can't make it to our alternative open day, you can still help Coventry UCU's campaign by signing the petition demanding Latham is removed from his government appointed non-executive post on the board of the Department for Business and Trade. The petition now has almost 4,000 signatures, and you can add yours here.

Update, 11 April 2025: UCU has called for immediate transparency from Coventry University after its recently published Annual Report and Financial Statements revealed a concerning warning from auditors regarding the institution's financial stability. The report, which was published more than four months late, includes a statement from the auditors noting that 'a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Group and the University's ability to continue as a going concern' should it fail to meet student recruitment targets and cost-saving objectives.

University of Derby: job cuts

In April 2025, University of Derby has announced plans to make half of its most senior academics redundant, putting some of the institution's most experienced researchers, teachers and experts at risk.

The compulsory redundancies come after the launch of a voluntary redundancy scheme which has already seen several senior staff decide to leave. This signals a worrying change in strategic direction at the University - away from being a top ranked teaching institution under-pinned by research.

UCU said the move would cause lasting damage to Derby's academic reputation and warned it could undermine its Gold-rated teaching status.

Update, 25 April 2025: University of Derby is going through mass redundancies following a voluntary scheme. The first targets are the professorial and associate professorial grades. The entire group were put at risk but the University have now changed this to 35. This is still a near 50% cull of those grades. This will impact not only research but their Gold TEF teaching scoring. UCU remains in consultation but the University of Derby UCU branch have set up a petition which we encourage everyone to sign.

University of Dundee: job cuts and threat of compulsory redundancies

In November 2024 the then University of Dundee principal, Iain Gillespie, announced plans to cut staffing levels. These cuts have been presented as 'inevitable' due to a forecasted £25-30 million deficit for 2024-25, and the employer has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies. Dundee UCU believes there is no clear financial justification for these measures. The university's leadership has failed to rule out compulsory redundancies and Dundee UCU wants meaningful negotiations to explore alternatives and to ensure that no one is forced out of their job.

The industrial action ballot opened on 2 January 2025 and will close on 30 January 2025.

Update, 31 January 2025: Staff at the University of Dundee have backed strikes in a dispute over the university's £30m deficit and plans to cut jobs including by compulsory redundancies. In the ballot of UCU Scotland members (turnout 64%), 74% voted to back strike action and 92% voted to back action short of a strike (ASOS).

Update, 21 February 2025: University of Dundee management is not ruling out compulsory redundancies and job losses after discovering a £30m deficit. Following a successful ballot result last month, members are preparing to take three weeks of strike action starting on Monday 24 February. You can read further updates from the Dundee UCU branch and send messages of solidarity via email.

Update, 24 February 2025: University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Dundee begins 15 days of strike action over the university's £30m deficit and the threat to cut jobs including by the use of compulsory redundancies.

Update, 21 March 2025: Dundee staff have been informed of the devastating news that management is cutting 632 jobs and that insolvency is 'a real possibility'. Watch this clip of Dundee University interim principal Shane O'Neill being questioned in Holyrood.

Update, 1 April 2025: Commenting on the news that planned job cuts at the University of Dundee could exceed 700 workers, Mary Senior, UCU's Scotland official, said: 'Sacking over 700 staff at Dundee University is tantamount to academic and economic vandalism. This level of job cuts would be catastrophic for the city of Dundee and the surrounding area. We cannot let this destruction go ahead, the funding already announced by the Scottish government and Funding Council is a start to prevent these cuts. We need to do better, to support students, education and jobs in the city'.

Update, 8 April 2025: Commenting on the establishment of a University of Dundee strategic advisory taskforce, UCU's Scotland official Mary Senior said: 'This is a welcome announcement from the Scottish Government; UCU's Dundee branch has been calling for such a taskforce to be established for some time now. It's vital that there is meaningful involvement from campus trade unions in this group, and that it works at speed to save jobs and education, and to ensure that the University moves forward as a successful institution for the future'.

Update, 29 April 2025: Commenting on the announcement of an alternative recovery plan for the University of Dundee, Dundee UCU branch co-president Melissa D'Ascenzio said: 'It is a relief that University management has backed away from the brutal plans to cut up to 700 jobs. This backtracking is in no doubt down to the relentless pressure from UCU, from all the campus unions and the support they've received from the city of Dundee, local communities and from across the political spectrum. Given the news of this new plan, we're urging the employer to take compulsory redundancies off the table, so as we can work with the employer towards a sustainable, successful university that values its staff and students, and continues to deliver the world class teaching and research'.

Durham University: job cuts

UCU is in dispute with Durham management over plans to axe 200 jobs and the university's failure to rule out compulsory redundancies.

Update, 21 February 2025: In response to £20m of cuts in staffing costs, Durham University UCU asked for compulsory redundancies to be ruled out. UCU has not had that guarantee and the branch is moving towards a formal ballot for industrial action.

Update, 24 February 2025: Over 1,000 members of staff at Durham University are set to be balloted for strike action at Durham University, over plans by management to cut £20m from the university's staffing budget. The ballot will open on Tuesday 4 March and run until Tuesday 1 April. It comes as management says it intends to axe around 200 professional services jobs by the end of summer with even more staff due to be culled next year.

Update, 4 April 2025: Durham University UCU have also voted to take strike action over plans by management to cut £20m from the university's staffing budget. On a turnout of 64%, 72% of UCU members backed strike action and 81% backed action short of a strike (ASOS).

Update, 25 April 2025: Durham University UCU branch has called for five days of strike action, starting from Monday 28 April in their dispute over management's plan to cut £20m in staff costs and refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. 

University of East Anglia: dispute over redundancies

A strike ballot has opened at the University of East Anglia (UEA) after almost one in six staff were put at risk of redundancy.

The ballot will run until Tuesday 4 February, 2025 and a successful result will pave the way for strike action to begin later that month unless management rules out compulsory redundancies.

The dispute is over management's threat to cut over 190 staff to meet continued budget shortfalls at the institution. According to the business case published in November 2024, management intends to cut at least 30 staff in the faculty of medicine and health sciences, 25 in the faculty of science, 22 in the faculty of arts and humanities, and at least 90 from departments across professional services at the institution.

This dispute follows over 400 staff leaving UEA in 2023 due to management's projected £40m deficit in that year.

Update, 6 February 2025: The UEA UCU ballot closed on 4 February 2025, on a turnout of 67.24%, 81.84% voted to take part in industrial action consisting of a strike and 83.55% voted to take part in industrial action short of a strike (ASOS).

Update, 14 March 2025: University of East Anglia UCU served notice of a day of strike action and continuous action short of a strike (ASOS) in a dispute over compulsory redundancies. UEA UCU want Wednesday 26 March to be a day to celebrate staff at UEA, to remind the employer that we are the university, that we matter, and that we have a clear and unified voice.

Update, 30 April 2025: UEA UCU will strike for nine days on:

• Thursday 1 May, Friday 2 May
• Tuesday 6 May, Wednesday 7 May, Friday 9 May
• Tuesday 13 May, Wednesday 14 May, Thursday 15 May, Friday 16 May.

East Sussex College Group: dispute over pay

An industrial ballot opens at East Sussex College Group on Monday 30 September 2024 and will close on Thursday 31 October 2024. The dispute concerns the failure of East Sussex College Group management to offer a substantial pay rise in response to the 2024/25 pay claim.

Update, November 2024: Members at East Sussex College in Hastings, Lewes and Eastbourne will be taking strike action on Tuesday 26 November if a much improved pay offer is not received. Members are dismayed that management have signalled an offer of 2%. UCU had put in a pay claim of 10% and teachers in sixth-form colleges have received a pay award of 5.5%. The gap between sixth form and FE pay is now approximately £10,000. UCU believes it is time to re-dress the balance between sixth form and FE pay rather than creating an even bigger gap between professionals that are teaching the same qualifications. The employer at East Sussex College needs to get round the table and work with UCU to find a way out of this mess or UCU will, reluctantly, push ahead with our plans to strike.

University of Edinburgh: job cuts

The principal of University of Edinburgh announced in early February 2025 that the university's funding gap is large and urgent enough to mean that 'nothing is off the table' as the university seeks to cut staff and make savings. The union disputes the need for cuts saying that the university is wealthier than it has ever been.

Update, 26 February 2025: The principal of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, announced on Tuesday 25 February in an email to all staff that senior management at the university are looking to make cuts of around £140m. The announcement follows previous staff emails where he announced that 'nothing was off the table'. His email adds detail including the £140m figure and that cuts at this level will include reducing staff numbers beyond those expected to leave through the current voluntary severance scheme. UCU members recently voted that they had no confidence in the principal and senior management, and earlier this month the union lodged a failure to agree with University of Edinburgh as a result of senior managers' refusal to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies.

Update, 17 March 2025: UCU Scotland warned the principal of the University of Edinburgh that strikes and other forms of industrial action are a real possibility if senior management don't roll back on threats of £140m cuts and take compulsory redundancies off the table.

Update, 28 March 2025:  A strike ballot will open on Monday 7 April at University of Edinburgh in a dispute over management's threats of £140m of cuts and failure to rule out compulsory redundancies. The ballot will close on Tuesday 20 May.

Update, 25 April 2025: Workers at the University of Edinburgh have renewed their call on the employer to rule out compulsory redundancies, given that the principal, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, reported that around 350 staff are opting to take voluntary severance.

University of Greenwich: job cuts

University of Greenwich intends to axe up to 319 staff, around a quarter of its total workforce. The cuts will fall on the faculty of liberal arts and sciences, faculty of engineering and science, and the Greenwich Business School. Click here for the full story.

Havant and South Downs College: job cuts

A strike ballot opened at Havant and South Downs College on Wednesday 7 May in a dispute over proposed restructure and redundancies that put up to 106 staff at risk. College management stated that it needs to reduce staff costs by at least £4.5m by 2025-26. If you are a UCU member at Havant and South Downs College please look out for your postal ballot.

We also encourage UCU members across the country to sign this petition in solidarity.

University of Hull: job cuts

An industrial action ballot over job cuts will open at University of Hull on Monday 2 September 2024 and close on Friday 27 September 2024.

In August 2024, management at University of Hull launched the formal consultation to make up to 127 staff compulsory redundant on statutory redundancy terms by 9 December 2024. Nearly 96 of affected employees could be academic staff. The latest round of cuts comes after the closure of a voluntary severance scheme in May 2024 that led to 107 employees already leaving the university.

Update, 30 September 2024: University of Hull UCU's industrial action ballot closed on Friday 27 September 2024. On a turnout of 55.06%, 78.92% voted 'Yes' to strike action and 83.86% voted 'Yes' to action short of a strike (ASOS).

Keele University: job cuts

At the end of February 2025, Keele University UCU branch has given notice of intention to ballot for industrial action over the university's plans to make £2.25m staffing cuts in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Business School. If the plans go ahead it will be the first time in the University's history that compulsory redundancies will have been imposed.

The branch are determined to oppose the plans and have called on the university to pause the process and re-enter discussions to find a less damaging solution. You can find more information on the Keele UCU branch website, and please send messages of solidarity to Keele UCU branch.

The branch is conducting an industrial action ballot which opened on Monday 3 March 2025 and would close on Wednesday 9 April 2025.

Update, 11 April 2025: The Keele University UCU industrial action ballot closed on 9 April 2025. On a turnout of 55.02%, 74.84% of members voted 'Yes' to strike action and 88.68% voted 'Yes' to action short of a strike (ASOS).

Strike action is now set to take place on Monday 28 April, Tuesday 29 April, Thursday 1 May, Tuesday 6 May and Thursday 8 May.

Update, 16 May 2025: Keele University is set to make another 150 job cuts. UCU members were on strike for five days; click here for coverage on BBC News. 

Kendal College: dispute over low pay

In March 2025, UCU launched a formal trade dispute with Kendal College over its failure to table any pay offer whatsoever this year. This is despite the college employer body Association of Colleges (AoC) making its formal pay recommendation for the 2024/25 academic year six months ago. Kendal College is the lowest paying college in Cumbria and UCU members will be balloted for industrial action if management refuses to resolve the dispute.

University of Kent: job cuts and workload

The University of Kent announced recently that there are likely to be up to 58 academic redundancies. This is on top of year on year cuts that have seen a dramatic decline in staffing. The current situation is entirely of the employer's own making: there is no reason, other than management failings, that Kent find themselves in this mess. UCU are determined to fight this academic vandalism and defend the university; show your support and sign this petition.

Update, 23 February 2024: an industrial action ballot opened on Friday 23 February and will close on Friday 5 April.

Update, 5 April 2024: University of Kent UCU members have backed strike action in defence of jobs. The result comes as the person in charge of the cuts, vice-chancellor Karen Cox, announces she will step down in May 2024, before they are even implemented. An overwhelming 85% of UCU members who voted said 'Yes' to strike action in a ballot with a turnout of 57%. The vote comes after 58 staff were placed at risk of redundancy as part of a programme that would see courses closed across the university. Courses set to go include art history, music and audio technology, philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, health and social care, and journalism. A petition to save the courses has now reached over 16k signatures. Management also wants to slash the amount of time staff have allocated to research from 40% to as little as 20%.

Update, 29 August 2024: an industrial action ballot will open on Monday 2 September and will close on Friday 4 October. University of Kent UCU is in dispute with the employer over two things: the employer's failure to rule out any processes that could lead to the compulsory redundancy of staff within the UCU bargaining group before 31 December 2025; and the employer's failure to provide guarantees that no one within the UCU bargaining group will suffer detriment to their workload in the years 2024 and 2025.

Update, 4 October 2024: University of Kent UCU's industrial action ballot closed on Friday 4 October 2024. On a turnout of 52.3%, 81.3% voted 'Yes' to strike action and 90.2% voted 'Yes' to action short of a strike (ASOS).   

Update, 14 March 2025: University of Kent UCU members begin balloting in defence of jobs and workload protection on Monday 17 March. Kent has shed hundreds of jobs in previous years and there is a real danger that sections of our membership will be facing compulsory redundancies in the near future. This is unacceptable and Kent UCU members, as they have in the past, will deliver a resounding 'Yes' vote. We will update as issues develop.

Update, 21 March 2025: Members at the University of Kent will begin five days of strike action on Monday 24 March. This follows the failure of the employer to respond positively to our reasonable demands around job security and workload. Kent have been in near crisis for the last four years. Hundreds of jobs have been lost and increasing workload is now the norm. Enough is enough, management need to get a grip and give us a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies this year.

Members are determined to fight on and are already balloting again to extend their mandate for industrial action. Messages of support can be sent to Charlie Hall at Kent UCU. The Kent re-ballot will close on Friday 25 April 2025.

Kingston University: shutting down departments

In response to Kingston University's proposal to shut down the Department of Humanities, Department of Politics and Social Sciences and its Language Scheme alongside a voluntary severance scheme, UCU and concerned students and colleagues have written an open letter to Kingston management. We express our profound concern and alarm regarding the impact, reputational damage, and questionable legality of the job cuts and course suspensions currently being hastily imposed. Click here for more information and to sign the letter.

Update, 16 May 2025: Kingston University branch is balloting members imminently over the university's failure to commit to avoid compulsory redundancies. This involves closure of humanities and courses in criminology, politics and sociology.

University of Liverpool: dispute over on-site attendance

In May 2025, University of Liverpool UCU members (academic-related and professional services) are balloting in a dispute over management's refusal to reach agreement over on-site attendance.

Medical Research Council: specialised research unit closures

UCU members are becoming increasingly concerned about the decision by the Medical Research Council (MRC) to change the funding for research units and to replace them with Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs).

MRC units are unique scientific assets and their closure will have a detrimental impact of the entire medical research sector in the UK.

An open letter to Professor Vallance, the minister of state for science, research and innovation has been put together by UCU members. We are keen to share the letter outside of MRC units and with people across the scientific community, so please circulate this to their contacts as well as sign it.

We are hoping some renewed political pressure at this point will encourage a pause to the transition so that the concerns members have highlighted can be addressed.

Update, 21 January 2025: Nobel prize winners, Sir Venki Ramakrishnan and Professor Geoffrey Hinton, as well as the Astronomer Royal, Professor Lord Martin Rees, have joined over 600 other signatories to an open letter demanding the Medical Research Council (MRC) revisits funding changes that could lead to the closure of highly successful research units.

Other signatories include public intellectual and Harvard professor Steven Pinker and former president of the Royal Statistical Society David Spiegelhalter, alongside nearly 70 other national academy fellows, 110 professors and more than 300 other academics, researchers, and support staff from the UK and abroad.

The letter, addressed to science minister Lord Patrick Vallance and shared with Patrick Chinnery and Keir Starmer, is in response to the MRC's new funding model, which will eliminate direct sustained investment in the existing internationally renowned research units.

University of Lincoln: job cuts

The University of Lincoln has warned of potential redundancies, as it seeks to balance its books. A spokesperson said it had entered a 'significant new phase of organisational restructuring and reform'. Most of the cuts would be through a voluntary redundancy scheme, with enhanced terms. However, the spokesperson was unable to rule out compulsory job losses.

Update, 11 April 2025: University of Lincoln management have admitted that nearly 300 jobs could be lost as the university had entered a 'significant new phase of organisational restructuring and reform'. A university spokesperson said that figure would be a 'worst case scenario', adding it is doing all it can to mitigate the number of job losses and reducing the need for compulsory redundancies.

Update, 9 May 2025: University of Lincoln branch is preparing to ballot members for industrial action, following the failure of management to rule out compulsory redundancies. The University has announced up to 285 potential redundancies, including the closure of the UK's only Equality, Diversity and Inclusion institute. This is on top of the 200+ jobs that went via voluntary means last year. Please sign this petition in solidarity.

Newcastle University: job cuts

Over 1,000 UCU members will be balloted for strike action at Newcastle University over £35m in cuts management is slashing from the university's budget.

The ballot, which opens on Monday 20 January 2025, is over the impact of huge cuts across the institution. These include cancelling promotions, restricting travel, and asking staff to quit the institution via a voluntary severance scheme. The university has also refused to rule out compulsory redundancies. You can send messages of support to the Newcastle University UCU branch.

Update, 11 February 2025: Staff at Newcastle University overwhelmingly backed strike action in defence of jobs. An overwhelming 83% of staff who voted did so in favour of strike action in a ballot with a turnout of 64%. UCU called on the university to listen to its workers and work with the union to avoid compulsory redundancies and avoid industrial unrest on campus. The ballot result comes after management cancelled promotions, restricted travel and asked staff to quit the institution through a voluntary severance scheme.

Update, 14 February 2025: Newcastle University staff will strike for 14 days next month unless management protects jobs. The full strike dates are:

• Week 1: Tuesday 4 and Thursday 6 March
• Week 2: Monday 10, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March
• Week 3: Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March
• Week 4: Monday 24, Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March

Staff will be on picket lines outside university buildings each day of strike action. You can find out more about the strikes and how to support striking staff by visiting Newcastle UCU branch's website.

Update, 25 April 2025: Newcastle University UCU branch has declared an additional 21 days of strike action, starting from Monday 28 April. Click here for the full schedule. Newcastle UCU members had already been on strike for 14 days in a dispute over job cuts and redundancies.

Update, 16 May 2025: Newcastle University UCU branch contiuned to be on strike this week (12-16 May) in a dispute over job cuts and redundancies. See coverage on BBC Look North (about 07:50 in).

University of Northampton: organisation-wide restructure plans

University of Northampton UCU and UNISON branches are calling on government for immediate help.

Northampton is currently consulting staff on organisation-wide restructure plans which if not stopped could result in closure of programmes, departments and compulsory redundancies.

A unique circumstance at Northampton is that its Waterside campus was paid for through a bond guaranteed by a previous government which it now has difficulty paying due to decreased international student recruitment. It is in the government's power to support University of Northampton in adjusting the terms of the bond and in doing this the impact of current financial pressures would be mitigated.

Please show your solidarity for all staff at University of Northampton by signing this petition which implores government to take action.

Ravensbourne University London: attack on trade unions

Following over twelve months of discussion between UCU and the employer, in November last year, UCU applied (with UNISON) for voluntary recognition at Ravensbourne University London. Ravensbourne responded by offering to negotiate, an offer which was accepted, and an initial negotiation meeting was scheduled for 10 January 2024. On 5 January, vice-chancellor Andy Cook pre-empted that negotiation and announced an independent ballot of all staff 'to gauge the level of support for formal trade union recognition' and 'to gauge the level of support to establish a Representative Staff Forum as an alternative to formal trade union recognition'.

Deborah Driscoll, UCU regional support official (London HE), said: 'after months of stalling and telling us that they wanted to work with UCU, it seems that Ravensbourne's management have finally shown their true colours. It has now become apparent that the VC does not want to recognise independent trade unions and would prefer a toothless and ineffective "Representative Staff Forum" instead. Two petitions have shown overwhelming support for the application for recognition of UCU at Ravensbourne and we are ready to continue to make the case to the staff if there is a ballot. We are currently waiting for the university's proposals in writing before agreeing anything as we need to ensure that any vote would be genuinely free and fair. UCU are very alert to any hint of unfair practices by the university and would urge staff to get in contact with their local UCU branch if they have any concerns. The university has agreed not to put out any further communications to staff about firm ballot arrangements for the time being.'

Update, 26 January 2024: UCU members at Ravensbourne University are campaigning for trade union recognition following management proposals to establish an alternative 'representative staff forum'. Staff are to be balloted on the two options by the university with provisional ballot dates of 4-17 March. UCU is arguing for formal recognition which would provide an agreed negotiating framework and give staff a voice to influence key decisions at Ravensbourne whereas the proposed management-controlled forum doesn't come with the same rights and obligations. Find out more about this important campaign by clicking here and support our demand for a seat at the decision-making table by following the branch on Instagram here.

Update, 9 February 2024: Ravensbourne University London's ballot of staff on whether to have a 'staff forum' instead of independent trade union recognition is being exposed for vote-rigging. The employer is refusing to have a vote purely on whether staff want UCU to be recognised, is demanding a high turnout rather than a simple majority of those voting, and is insisting that UCU will not have access to staff to talk about the ballot unless it agrees to be 'locked out' of statutory recognition rights for three years. If you work at Ravensbourne, help us fight back against this union busting by voting for trade union recognition. You can also send messages of solidarity to the Ravensbourne UCU branch.

Sheffield Hallam University: job cuts and pay

A strike ballot has opened on Monday 15 April 2024 and will close on Wednesday 22 May 2024 at Sheffield Hallam University. 

UCU has accused the university of pushing ahead with expensive building projects while launching a wholesale attack on staff and students through an unprecedented cuts programme, severely breaching the post-92 contract and national framework, and attacking on working conditions.

The university has said 225 academic jobs will be axed, with up to 80 staff facing compulsory redundancy. Around 140 senior experienced academics have already left following the opening of a voluntary severance scheme in December 2023 and the university is now ploughing ahead with further compulsory job losses. 

Cuts come alongside unprecedented breaches of the post-92 national contract that will severely impact research and teaching. The university intends to completely remove the (grade 9) principal lecturer role, force line management responsibilities onto (grade 8) lecturers and create a new teaching (grade 6) 'academic tutor' role.

Update, 3 June 2024: Sheffield Hallam UCU members voted to support strike action (87%) following a successful industrial ballot that closed in May 2024 (turnout 53%). Dates for strike action will be announced in due course.

Update, 9 August 2024: UCU members at Sheffield Hallam University will strike from Monday 23 September 2024 until Thursday 26 September 2024.

Update, 20 September 2024: Strike action planned for 23-26 September has been suspended in the light of an improved offer from SHU's executive board. SHU UCU members will be voting on whether to accept or reject the offer. Click here for the latest news on SHU's dispute.

Update, 6 January 2025: UCU and Sheffield Hallam University are in dispute over university management's failure to implement UCEA's pay increase for eleven months. The ballot opens on 14 January 2025 and will close on 12 February 2025.

Update, 14 March 2025: There will be strike action at Sheffield Hallam University on 24-25 March and 2-3 April in a dispute over the university's deferred implementation of pay increase.

University of Sheffield: job cuts

UCU is in a dispute with University of Sheffield management over drastic restructuring plans that put up to 1,000 jobs at risk.

The dispute centres on the university's intention to slash staffing costs by £23 million over the next two years. In November 2024, the vice-chancellor announced plans to cut £9 million in staffing costs in 2025 and a further £14 million in 2026. Relatedly, the university recently launched its 'New Schools' proposal, which has involved reducing the number of academic departments from 45 to 21 and restructuring Professional Services staff across all schools.

The proposals affect 796 staff and could lead to at least 50 compulsory redundancies during this academic year alone. Four further restructures are also being carried out in key areas, including Postgraduate Research, Employability, Digital Learning, and Faculty Finance and an additional review is underway to consider the future structure of IT Services. These plans follow over 300 staff having already exited the university under a Voluntary Severance Scheme at the end of 2024.

Update, 21 February 2025: University of Sheffield UCU will start balloting members for industrial action from Monday 24 February in their dispute over management plans to cuts staff costs of £23m between 2024 and 2026. This may involve substantial job losses including compulsory redundancies.

Update, 24 February 2025: Staff at the University of Sheffield are being asked to vote in support of strike action in a ballot that opened on 24 February. The strike ballot is over plans from management to threaten as many as 1,000 staff with redundancy. It will close on Monday 31 March, and a successful result would pave the way for strike action as soon as April if management refuses to rule out compulsory redundancies.

Update, 1 April 2025: Staff at the University of Sheffield have voted to take strike action in a dispute over drastic restructuring plans that put up to 1,000 jobs at risk. In the industrial action ballot, 74% of UCU members who voted backed strike action, on a turnout of 57%. The university's UCU branch has said the dispute could be resolved if management commits to no compulsory redundancies and significantly scales back the proposed staffing cuts. Staff have raised serious concerns over the pace and scale of the changes and do not believe the university has adequately justified its timeline for returning to a financial surplus.

Update, 25 April 2025: University of Sheffield UCU members will take part in one day of strike action on Wednesday 30 April, followed by a nine-day walkout from Tuesday 6 May until Friday 16 May if management fails to address the branch's demands.

Update, 9 May 2025: University of Sheffield UCU members called off strike action for 9 May and 12-16 May as members voted to accept an offer from the employer in the dispute over job cuts and the threat of compulsory redundancies.

University of Sunderland: threat of redundancies

University of Sunderland has threatened to sack 76 staff, including more than one in 10 academics. The cuts also impact professional services staff. Management intends to force some staff out as soon as Friday 1 November, meaning they would be unemployed going into the Christmas break. This is the second formal notification of redundancies in under six months. In neither this, nor the previous notification, were any management jobs put at risk.

The announcement comes a few months after the university admitted it would shut down the national glass centre, despite a big campaign to save the important regional arts institution. UCU will fight the jobs cuts, which threaten to damage student provision and tarnish the university's reputation.

Update, 8 October 2024: a meeting took place involving representatives from the University of Sunderland, UCU and UNISON. There was continuing agreement on the need to work together, wherever possible, to avoid compulsory redundancies. The university explained how non-staff savings were also being looked at, and the trade unions agreed to consider proposals to put to the Executive as part of the continuing consultation. Further regular meetings are being scheduled.

Update, 13 January 2025: Staff threatened with a restructure by Sunderland University management have been told they cannot tell colleagues they are at risk of losing their jobs. Upon returning from their Christmas break, a small team of academic staff were told they would be restructured and that at least one post would be deleted. However, university management forbade impacted staff from having any 'discussions with students, alumni or colleagues'. Please sign the petition to oppose the University of Sunderland's decision which asks them to lift the ban.

Truro and Penwith College: job cuts

Staff at Truro and Penwith College in Cornwall were left shocked and angry when they were informed that potentially 100 jobs could be cut with up to 40% of those coming from lecturing/academic staff. 

In four years, management have overseen a catastrophic slide taking the college from success to financial peril with a deficit of £4.2m and expect hard working staff to pay the price. Management now appear intent on steamrolling through a redundancy process with little attempt at meaningful consultation. Click here for news coverage on the situation and please send messages of solidarity and support to the branch.

Update, 4 April 2025: Staff have called on the Truro and Penwith College management to stop the threat of compulsory job cuts after delivering an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the principal and senior management team.

In a ballot organised by UCU and its sister campus unions, over nine in ten UCU members (95.6%) said they have no confidence in Truro and Penwith's principal Martin Tucker and the senior management team to manage the finances of the college. In addition to the vote of no confidence around three quarters (73.6%) of UCU members said they would be prepared to take strike action in order to prevent compulsory redundancies. Under Tucker's watch, the college has seen an alarming slide of surpluses, resulting in an eyewatering deficit budget of £4.2 million in 2024/2025, just short of 10% of annual turnover, despite higher student numbers.