De Montfort to scrap 54 jobs

De Montfort University is locked in a battle with lecturers' unions over plans to axe more than 50 academic posts.

The proposed redundancies are the result of restructuring and efforts to meet funding council budget targets. Managers originally announced up to 200 jobs might be at risk as 14 schools were scrapped to create six new faculties.

Posts were also under pressure after Higher Education Funding Council for England advice that all institutions should maintain a 3 per cent operating surplus.

The Association of University Teachers says the number of job losses has now been reduced to 54. But union leaders are unhappy they have not been given a guarantee that no redundancies will be compulsory.

A university spokeswoman said every effort was being made to find new positions for staff displaced or to persuade them to take voluntary redundancy.

All academic staff in land management, agriculture and horticulture and art and design have been sent a letter warning that their jobs are at risk and inviting them to apply for redundancy.