University puts 135 more jobs at risk of redundancy

Up to 135 more redundancies could be made at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen in a bid to save millions of pounds, it has been announced.

A total of 130 staff left through a voluntary severance scheme earlier this year.

Now RGU has informed all staff of proposals, subject to consultation, that contain the potential of 135 more roles being made redundant as part of further restructuring.

RGU said it was aimed at ensuring the "long-term financial sustainability" of the institution.

The university said staff at risk would be offered voluntary redundancy and it hoped the need for compulsory redundancies would be limited.

It added it does not expect as many as 135 staff to leave due to redeployment opportunities.

A consultation on the changes will run until 20 December.

RGU said in a statement: "Robert Gordon University has today informed all staff of the latest developments of its Finance Transformation Project.

"This includes a proposed business case, subject to collective consultation, that contains the potential of 135 roles being made redundant as part of further restructuring proposals across areas of the university.

"This is to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the institution against significant external challenges."

Prof Steve Olivier, RGU's principal and vice-chancellor, said: “Like many universities across the UK, Robert Gordon University continues to face significant financial challenges due to a steep drop in international student enrolments, a sustained decline in public funding, and inflationary cost pressures.

"The proposed changes will future-proof RGU as an institution and ensure that we maintain our provision of an excellent student experience while delivering vital social, economic and cultural contributions to the north east and wider nation."

After the collective consultation ends, individual consultation will begin in the New Year.