Latest news with #UCU
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Newcastle University students get £1.7m in strike compensation
A university has handed out over £1.7m in compensation to students affected by strikes this of 30 June, Newcastle University had paid £1.72m to learners who saw disrupted teaching due to action by staff between March and June in response to job university previously said students would be paid between £100 and £1,200 in compensation following guidance from the Office for and College Union (UCU) representative Prof Matt Perry said the payments highlighted the institution had the funds to "cut compulsory redundancies". Industrial action ended last month when the UCU said it had received assurances from the university no further job losses would be made until next year. More than 200 staff have already taken voluntary severance. 'Impact of action' In response to a freedom of information request, the university said it had identified 12,769 students eligible for compensation fee-paying students can be awarded £100 of compensation for each teaching module disrupted, up to a maximum of £600, according to the Local Democracy Reporting fee-payers can receive £200 of compensation per module, with an upper limit of £1, university said the compensation scheme had not yet closed and so the final amount it would spend on compensation was not yet said it was funding these payments using the cash it had saved as a result of unpaid salaries due to the industrial Perry said: "The fact that they can pay £1.7m out to students shows the measure of the impact of our actions plus that the university had the money to cut compulsory redundancies in the first place." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
UEA criticised for cutting three NHS mental health courses
A union has claimed a university's decision to cut three mental health courses represents "abandoning" training the region "desperately needs". The University College Union (UCU) reacted after The University of East Anglia (UEA) confirmed it would be making cuts to three courses - the High Intensity Therapy programme, the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner programme and the Clinical Associate in Psychology Masters Apprenticeship (CAPs) programme.A proposed reduction of 10.9 full-time equivalent roles has also been announced. A spokesperson for the UEA, said: "Applications for the courses only come from those in appropriate NHS roles, they are not open to self-funded students. Therefore, the continued delivery of the courses is no longer viable." The UEA said the courses had been affected by external factors including; NHS England restructuring, decreased uptake of NHS commissions for talking therapy programmes and a reduction in employment opportunities within the NHS for apprenticeship roles. It said the CAPs course, which is entitled to level-seven apprenticeship funding, ceases across all sectors from January mental health courses are open to NHS staff and current students already on the courses are said to have been informed of the cuts and will be supported by the university to complete their studies. However, the nearest university running these courses is in Essex. Staff have been informed and consultations with trade unions are under way. "Compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort," the university said. 'Turning its back' The UEA announced last year it would be shedding 170 full-time equivalent posts as it tried to save £ said it would be shaving 3% from its budget and could not rule out any compulsory redundancies. The UCU said the decision to cut the courses "directly contradicts" the NHS's mission and commitment to expanding psychological services. A spokesperson said: "UCU has heard from senior NHS leaders that the East of England needs 150 new psychological well-being practitioners and 150 new CBT therapists in the next year alone."By closing these programmes, in the midst of a regional and national mental health crisis, UEA is turning its back on the region and abandoning its responsibility to train the mental health workers that our region desperately needs." It claimed the decision was down to the University Vice Chancellor's desire to "smooth over" "poor financial planning" and decision making. The union has called for the university to work with it to find a solution. The BBC has contacted NHS England for comment. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Myerscough College to close 'unique' campus building
A Lancashire college has confirmed plans to close one of its College said it had made the decision to shut its site at Witton Park in Blackburn at the end of July following a period of move has been condemned by the University and College Union (UCU) which said staff were "angry and devastated" by the decision, pointing out how it offered "unique" classes in animal care subjects.A college representative said both Myerscough and Blackburn with Darwen Council "remain committed to supporting resident learners affected through the transition". Founded in 1894 as the Lancashire County Institute of Agriculture, Myerscough College is one of the oldest further education institutions in the UCU said 12 permanent staff and several more on temporary contracts were at risk of redundancy unless they accept alternative jobs at the college's main campus in Bilsborrow, Preston. 'Transition plan' General secretary Jo Grady claimed the college had "rejected all the suggestions UCU made that would have enabled this much-loved centre to remain open".The college said it had explored all viable options."Our shared priority remains to minimise any disruption to their learning while seeking opportunities to support and enrich their overall experience," it said in a said a "transition plan" was in progress to ensure students can continue their studies either at the college's main campus or, depending on individual preferences, at another suitable location."We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated and passionate staff based at the Witton centre," it added."Throughout the consultation process, it has been abundantly clear how much the site means to students, staff, and the wider community." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
University investigating student complaint over Palestinian fundraiser
Katie Wood, president of the society and organiser of the bake sale, said staff approached their stall and told them the items breached university policy and had prompted 'numerous complaints,' including one suggesting 'there will be trouble' if the students were not removed. Emails obtained by The Herald and Liberty Investigates reveal that the university also attempted to prevent the flag from being present at another bake sale fundraiser for a Palestinian charity, scheduled to be held by the University and College Union (UCU) 10 days later, in an 'attempt to avoid a similar issue.' HWU eventually allowed the flag to be flown after a UCU member questioned whether prohibiting the Palestinian flag was discriminatory. A HWU spokesperson said it would be investigating the 31 January bake sale event to 'establish a full set of circumstances' and that it would be 'inappropriate to comment' while this is ongoing. Students lodged a formal complaint against university staff for the handling of controversy surrounding a fundraising event. (Image: Garrett Baylor Stell) Ms Wood told The Herald she and her fellow students were left feeling 'targeted and uncomfortable' after staff allegedly threatened to use force to remove them if they did not comply with requests to remove their Palestinian flag and leaflets. She provided documents showing that she had given the university nine days' notice when submitting a request to book a stall for a 'bake sale to raise donations for a Palestinian charity,' which was approved. Yet on the day of the event, Ms Wood said two members of the university's Safeguarding team told them to remove the flag, allegedly saying it was 'university policy that no political messaging was allowed.' Read more: Ms Wood told the Herald: 'The Palestinian flag is not inherently political, any more than any other flag at any event would be. Attempting to remove the flag is discriminatory towards Palestinian students, as it implies their existence is inherently political and they are not welcome or safe on campus.' "The members running the stall at the time asked why they were being told to remove the flag and leaflets, they were told that it was university policy that no political messaging was allowed, citing that the word "Genocide" on the leaflets was political, and so was the flag. "The members were also informed that the safeguarding members had received 'numerous' complaints, including one asking for us to be removed, saying 'or there will be trouble.' Ms Wood added: 'This was extremely concerning that we would receive a threat such as this, and that the safeguarding member took this to us instead of dealing with the student threatening our safety. "This seems to show a great flaw in their approach to solving conflicts and harassment.' Ms Wood said the students eventually decided to comply with the requests to remove the items in question so they could continue with their fundraiser. 'After continued attempts to reason, the safeguarding members threatened that if we did not comply, we would be 'removed by force.' 'We have been part of and have ran this same event before several times and have never faced this reaction. This is disappointing, and has made us feel targeted and uncomfortable within our university.' They put away the flag, and handed out leaflets only to students who asked. Heriot-Watt University is investigating whether Safeguarding staff ordered students to take down a Palestinian flag because it violated university policy. (Image: Garrett Baylor Stell) Ms Wood said that she and her fellow students asked for the names of the Safeguarding staff in order to file a complaint, but staff allegedly refused to identify themselves. A HWU spokesperson said: 'On Wednesday 16 July, we received a formal complaint relating to a bake sale event that took place at our Edinburgh campus on 31 January 2025. "An investigation will now be carried out in line with our Complaints Handling Procedure (CHP) to establish the full set of circumstances. While the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." Emails disclosed under freedom of information laws reveal that university staff discussed the SPS bake sale 'incident' as they debated how to handle a similar event being held by the local branch of the UCU. A staff member wrote, on 5 February 2025, that 'in an attempt to avoid a similar issue," they had contacted the UCU organisers to request that they 'didn't provide a flag and that any literature provided reflects University policies.' According to the email, this 'inadvertently caused an issue.' The email quotes a response from someone connected to the UCU fundraiser, who questioned the justification for banning the flag. 'I have never seen any literature stating that national flags are not permitted … If you could point me in the direction of any relevant literature, I would be grateful. 'I will also check with UCU as it is important not to have discriminatory situation where the Palestinian flag is the ONLY [sic] one that is not allowed on campus.' People close to the event told The Herald the Palestinian flag was allowed at the UCU fundraiser. The revelations come days after it was revealed that HWU agreed to a request from defence company Raytheon UK to monitor students for signs of potential protest activity targeting a career fair held last February. Raytheon UK's requests – which HWU staff agreed to in an email – included monitoring students' online chats before the event, actively monitoring CCTV and carrying out 'enhanced patrols' during the fair in order to spot signs of students gathering and 'act as a deterrent' to help safeguard the Raytheon UK employees. The university denied involvement in improper monitoring. 'Heriot-Watt University categorically denies any suggestion of improper monitoring of our community. These allegations completely misrepresent the way the University operates. 'For absolute clarity, our Safeguarding team does not have access to student chat rooms or online discussion forums, nor would they ever be expected or requested by the University to monitor them.
STV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Aberdeen University extends redundancy scheme in face of £5.5m black hole
The University of Aberdeen has extended its voluntary redundancy scheme deadline as it struggles to make millions of pounds in savings. A union representing staff has said there is further uncertainty over jobs, with the institution aiming to save £5.5m before the next academic year. In April, staff promotions were frozen, and recruitment was paused to plug its financial black hole. But in an email to staff this week, management said it was 'cautiously optimistic' it had achieved around £4m worth of savings. With a remaining £1.5m budget gap, the voluntary severance and enhanced retirement scheme has been extended until September. Five schools continue to be the primary focus. They are: Business – excluding Business Management Geosciences – excluding Archaeology Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture Natural and Computing Sciences – excluding Computing Science Social Sciences – excluding Politics, International Relations, and Sociology The deadline for applications is now September 5, 2025. A University spokesperson said: 'Thanks to collective efforts undertaken across our community to identify revenue generating opportunities and cost-saving measures, together with take-up of the Voluntary Severance and Enhanced Retirement schemes, we are cautiously optimistic we have achieved around £4m of savings towards addressing our £5.5m budget gap and £6.5m agreed deficit. ''Further cost savings and income generation are still needed as our Three-Year Financial Plan requires the University to break even by 2028.' David Clough, Aberdeen UCU (University and College Union) co-chair told STV News compulsory redundancies must be ruled out. 'The email from Senior Management today leaves university staff uncertain about whether their jobs will be part of the cost-cutting measures planned to fix the university's finances and whether their roles will fit in the planned new operating model,' he said. ''UCU members are active in generating income for the University, are keen to contribute to envisaging a sustainable future for it but are tired of doing so with their own jobs under threat. UCU negotiators continue to call on Senior Management to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their plans.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
