Academic union leaders this week rejected Manchester University's plan to tackle a £30 million deficit by axeing 400 members of staff deemed to be less "comfortable" with the institution's direction. An early retirement or voluntary redundancy package worth 18 months' pay has been offered to Manchester's 11,800 staff as part of a drive to put the university back in the black by next year. But the University and College Union said it was doubtful whether the deal is adequate to attract enough volunteers to avoid compulsory job losses, despite assurances from Manchester president Alan Gilbert that there would be none.