Fears for hundreds of uni jobs due to funding gap

Meetings are being held with staff and unions amid concern that hundreds of jobs are under threat at Cardiff University.

Academic departments have been summoned to briefings with managers with speculation that some departments could be merged and subjects affected.

Chair of the University and College Union (UCU) Cymru Estelle Hart said there had been a "lack of communication" by university bosses which was causing "anxiety" to staff.

A Cardiff University spokesperson said that staff and students would be the first to know if any changes were proposed.

Cardiff University is the largest in Wales with 32,725 students in 2023.

It is a member of the Russell group of 24 leading and research-intensive institutions, often considered to be the most elite in the country.

Other universities across Wales and the UK have been cutting staff in an attempt to address deficits in their budgets.

Staff at another Russell group institution, Newcastle University, are being balloted for strike action as the university attempts to plug a £35m shortfall.

But there have been warnings that fee increases will not resolve the financial problems faced by universities.