UEA crisis: Number of staff members at risk cut in half

The University of East Anglia previously announced it was looking to cut its staff numbers by 113, including losing dozens of academic workers.

But the university, which needs to save £45m over the next three years, now says it has been able to reduce this number to 48 - by not filling almost 200 vacant posts.

However, it is facing fresh pressure from trade unionists to make no redundancies whatsoever.

A UEA spokeswoman said: "In May, we announced proposals to reduce our staff numbers by 113 staff across the university in both academic and non-academic areas as part of plans to save £30m in 2023/24.

"So far, our voluntary redundancy and redeployment schemes have allowed the number of roles at risk to be reduced from 113 staff to 48, and conversations are still ongoing with the colleagues affected.

"Compulsory redundancy remains our last resort.

"In addition, just over 100 staff accepted offers of voluntary severance earlier this year."

She said that 179 vacant posts have been removed, adding: "As all those posts were already vacant, this has allowed for savings to be made without putting any staff at risk."

Mark Walmsley, chairman of the UEA branch of UCU. Picture: Mark Walmsley (Image: Mark Walsley)

Mark Walmsley, chairman of the UEA branch of the University and College Union, urged bosses to further reduce the number of jobs at risk to zero.

The branch organised a strike this week and has threatened further disruption in the coming months.

He said: "The fact the executive team has been able to reduce the number already shows that there are ways of making savings that do not involve people losing their jobs.

"We know the university needs to make savings but clearly there are other ways of reducing the budget."