Aberystwyth UCU Branch notes with dismay, but not surprise, the recent news from Bangor University and the University of South Wales regarding proposed redundancies. This follows news of course closures and job cuts at Cardiff University, the closure of the Lampeter campus of UWTSD, and job cuts to Swansea University and Cardiff Metropolitan announced last year.

There is a crisis in higher education funding in Wales and the UK more widely. Everyone recognises the funding model is simply broken, and has been for a long time. Yet a sector that generates billions of pounds in value to Wales (through research, direct spend locally, and the higher average salaries of graduate students) also has institution after institution announcing financial deficits, job cuts and need for making savings. Each institution is different but all are embedded in a system that is just not working as it should.

Aberystwyth University is also in the process of making savings. Last year, even after savings made in cutting spending, Aberystwyth University had a deficit of £8 million. The aim for this year has been a saving of £15 million, with the goal of ending the year with a £3 million deficit.

The plans for future reorganisation and restructuring outlined on Wednesday 19th Feb focus on further savings for next year with the aim of balancing the books by July 2026. This is a continuation of the announcement of up to 200 job losses at Aberystwyth University in May 2024, when the crisis in higher education was perhaps less ‘newsworthy’.

When we talk of ‘balance sheets’, ‘savings’, ‘cuts’, ‘losses’, ‘efficiencies’ we are all also aware we are talking about friends and colleagues, more workload, anxiety and insecurity. For Aberystwyth UCU this is our focus – ensuring staff are treated fairly, that conditions for working here become better not worse, that the high levels of stress members have been feeling for many months is addressed.

Aberystwyth UCU Branch continues to work with the University to mitigate the impact on staff, not only in terms of saving jobs but also in ensuring that staff workloads are sustainable.

Universities in Wales are integral to their local communities and economies. Every £1 of public money put into universities across Wales generates over £13 in positive, economic impact. Each job lost means additional work for staff filling the gaps. In a town like Aberystwyth, where alternative employment is limited, each job lost is an impact on individual livelihoods and our community directly. The university is an anchor institution of this town, at the heart of its identity as well as economic and cultural life.

We understand the university plans for reorganisation are focused on more effective ways of working, including investment in systems that will reduce workload over the medium term. But the devil will be in the detail. Aberystwyth UCU will continue to scrutinise, challenge and if need be take action to defend the rights and working conditions of our members.

Marc Welsh, Acting President of Aberystwyth UCU urged:

“that Welsh politicians, and both the Welsh and UK governments, recognise that for many places this crisis in higher education has direct impacts on the future viability and character of our towns and communities and the opportunities of our people.

Stepping back and leaving it all to an unregulated ‘market in higher education’, allowing universities countrywide to decline in their offer of courses, life opportunities, student support and experience, and their social mission and economic contribution to their communities is not an option.

Government needs to take action now to support universities while a new system for financing aspiration and opportunity for our younger people is put in place for the future.”

 

21/02/25