Dundee University staff told job cuts 'inevitable' as site faces £30m deficit amid 'challenging' period

Staff at Dundee University have been told that job cuts are “inevitable” as the higher education facility faces a £30m deficit.

In an email sent to all staff, the university’s principal, professor Iain Gillespie, said the announcement comes after an “extremely challenging” period in the industry.

He said that despite the university’s cost-cutting measures, the higher education facility was still facing a deficit of between £25m and £30m.

The university had previously implemented a recruitment freeze on new and existing posts and reduced operating expenditure.

Prof Gillespie said the cuts were due to a “significant drop” in student recruitment and other factors, including a decline in government funding.

The email said further action was needed to address the university’s financial stability and long-term future, and added that a reduction in staffing levels would be “inevitable”.

“This will be a very difficult period, certainly for this financial year and next. We must meet this challenge together as a mutually supportive community,” he wrote.

“The decisions we take will be in the interests of the future health and sustainability of the University but they will not, in many cases, be easy ones.”

Dundee University UCU branch said: “

Statement from Dundee University UCU branch: “This is a difficult time for staff at the university who will be worrying about their jobs in the run up to Christmas and the New Year.

“We’re disappointed in the lack of meaningful discussion between management and trade unions before today’s message was sent to all staff.

“As well as staff, today’s news will be concerning to students at the university who’ll be worried both for the staff teaching them and for the future of their courses.

“The university must take every step to retain jobs and avoid compulsory redundancies. UCU and the other campus unions will fight to defend every job.”