Uni could shed 285 jobs in 'worst case scenario'

Nearly 300 jobs could be lost at a university, bosses have admitted.

The University of Lincoln said it had entered a "significant new phase of organisational restructuring and reform".

The University and College Union told the BBC it believes 285 jobs could be lost.

However, 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.

Dr Owen Clayton, chairman of the University and College Union, said it does not accept compulsory redundancies are necessary, adding it is "a red line" for members.

The university spokesperson said it recognised that the UK higher education sector is "undergoing significant change".

"We must face into, and adapt to, the financial implications, including structuring to further enable diversity of income, to ensure we keep delivering for our students, city and region," they said.

The university has announced a voluntary redundancy scheme, with enhanced terms, and launched a consultation on departmental restructures, which it said "may result in some redundancies".

"We're continuing to take prudent, practical measures to balance income and expenditure as we plan for a bright future ahead. This includes careful management of staff costs, our single biggest area of expenditure," the spokesperson added.

The university made clear it is not in deficit and expects to "return a break-even position" in this financial year, but the spokesperson added that "financial headwinds facing universities have not gone away".

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