University bosses spent £150,000 on flights - union

A union has criticised Coventry University bosses for spending thousands of pounds on first class flights whilst staff are being made redundant.

The University and College Union (UCU) said senior leaders spent about £150,000 on flights between January and November 2024, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

However, Coventry University Group (CUG) said less than £30,000 of the spend quoted was "solely paid for by the group" as a "significant amount" was funded through grants and contracts with overseas partners.

A spokesperson said they had increased the number of students studying from overseas and needed to develop relationships in other countries.

CUG said it had a "clear strategy" to generate growth and income from delivering education in international markets, with campuses or hubs in several countries, including Egypt, Singapore, Kazakhstan, China and India.

"When travel is required to support strategic growth, all individuals must adhere to the group's travel policy, which has clear rules on appropriate class of travel," it added.

A spokesperson said the group had a target of 50,000 students studying at its sites in other parts of the world and was expected to announce more overseas campuses in the next 12 months.

"None of this happens remotely, we need to develop relationships and this means flying to countries where we do business, or hope to do business, that generates a surplus to support our communities in the UK as well as protecting jobs," they said.